WALES' breast screening programme is under urgent review by Public Health Wales to ensure all eligible women are invited for checks.

The move, announced by health secretary Vaughan Gething, follows Wednesday’s statement by the Secretary of State for health and social care Jeremy Hunt about breast screening problems in England.

Mr Gething wants "to reassure women in Wales that this issue is predominantly one that affects England.", but it is "very concerning".

"Given that the breast screening programme in Wales is on the same IT platform as England, Public Health Wales is urgently reviewing the Welsh breast screening programme," he said.

Three potential groups of women affected by the English system may now live in Wales:

• Women registered with English GPs in border areas of Wales and who attend English screening services may be affected in the same way as English women.

• Some women who should have been invited in their 70th year by England, who may now live in Wales and be locally registered.

• Women who may have been registered on the system but where the subsequent follow-up was lost.

"It is not possible to quantify these groups currently, but the total combined affected population for Wales and other devolved administrations is thought to be very small," said Mr Gething.

Women aged 50 to 70, resident in Wales and registered with a GP are invited for a mammogram every three years. Once 70, they can self-refer for screening by speaking to their GP.

Public Health England has set up a free helpline for women who might be affected, on 0800 169 2692.