All first-time scans have been put on hold in North Cumbria because health bosses cannot recruit the necessary staff.

One job has been advertised for six months with no takers.

The post, at West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, is designed to increase manpower to that necessary to run a comprehensive programme. So far there have been no takers for the job.

But the success of the NHS Breast Screening Programme depends on as many eligible women as possible attending for checks.

Saving lives

The service saw more women than ever before in 1998 and is on target to save 1,250 lives per year, according to its most recent annual report.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in westernised countries and accounts for 20% of all female cancers.

However, despite screening being a high public health priority, North Cumbria Health Authority has been forced to cancel any new appointments by the end of the month.

Robin MacLeod, chief executive of the authority, said this was because they could not find a consultant.

He said: "The post has been advertised for the last six months, but there is an extreme shortage of radiologists nationally and we have been unable to appoint someone.

"The problem has arisen because there is a national shortage but also because it's a very high profile job."

Retirement

At the moment there is one consultant who processes breast scans in Cumbria and Lancashire.

However, she retires in April. Until then she will concentrate on assessing scans that have already been done, Mr MacLeod said.

"We want to make the best use of her time," he said.

Dr Peter Tiplady, director of public health at the authority, said there should be at least three consultants plus back-up staff to cover for absences or leave.

Morecambe Bay Health Authority is working with North Cumbria to resolve the situation.

It is preparing contingency plans to cater for the women who are not being called for their first screening appointment.

The authority anticipates there will be 100 such women a week.

Developing service

Dr Nick Gent, director of public health at Morecambe Bay, said: "We are currently putting in place a completely new service for women within south Cumbria which should be operational by 1 December.

"This will make available to every woman in the Morecambe Bay area the facility to be screened, assessed and treated by a locally-based clinical team.

Julietta Patnick: Working with the authorities

"Meanwhile we are organising additional clinics to offer advice and reassurance to any woman who has any concerns about breast cancer."

A spokeswoman for the NHS Breast Screening Programme confirmed that the shortage of radiologists was a national problem.

Julietta Patnick is national co-ordinator of the Programme. She said the service was trying to help the authorities get the programme back on track.

She said:"We've been working with the people in Cumbria to resolve this issue and we will continue to do so until a safe screening programme can be re-instated in Cumbria."

Dr Tiplady said there is a simple solution.

He said: "It's an almost impossible situation but we can see the answer - more radiologists.