Women aged 30 will get breast cancer checks in trial led by doctor who treated late Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding
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WOMEN aged 30 will get breast cancer checks in a trial led by the doctor who treated Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding.
An NHS study set up in the singer's name has been expanded after tests shed more light on the risk posed to younger women.
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Singer Sarah Harding died in 2021 aged 39
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It showed that nearly one in five in their 30s — 19 per cent — face an increased threat.
Those taking part will be offered a mammogram scan or DNA analysis of a saliva sample.
It is hoped the research could pave the way for the NHS breast cancer screening age to be reduced from 50 to 30.
Dr Sacha Howell treated Sarah, who died in 2021 aged 39.
He said breast cancer killed more British women aged from 35 to 50 than anything else.
Dr Howell added: 'We want to try to identify women at increased risk so we can start screening early. I'd like all women over 30 to have an assessment.'
Charity Breast Cancer Now said: 'The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of successful treatment.'
Remaining Girls Aloud members Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts said: 'This study in Sarah's name has the potential to be life-saving.
'Sarah was an amazing woman. We couldn't be more proud of the legacy she's left.'
If I had access to more information on breast health when I was younger, I may have caught my symptoms earlier
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