Staff shortages are putting UK breast cancer screening “at risk,” survey finds

The Royal College of Radiologists has warned of a “looming crisis” in breast cancer screening in the United Kingdom after a workforce survey showed that more than a 10th of consultant breast radiologist posts were unfilled. The survey, which covers 65% of breast cancer screening units and 30% of radiology departments in the UK, showed that 13% of consultant breast radiologist posts across the UK were empty, double the figure in 2010.1 Though the figure relates only to units that responded, it mirrors the national picture, said the college. The region with the lowest fill rate was the south east of England, where …