The trusts hope to resume the screening clinic as soon as possible

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) said the decision had been taken because of issues with staffing.

It said normal symptomatic clinics and breast screening appointments would not be affected and would continue.

A deficit of �8.1m announced by the trust in March has now nearly doubled to �15.7m.

Zaneta Jones, from St Columb, who was due to attend the Royal Cornwall Hospital next month for her annual screening said the news had shocked and frightened her.

Forum 'disappointed'

Mrs Jones received a letter saying her appointment on 28 July had been cancelled because the RCHT did not know if the primary care trusts (PCTs) would fund the service.

The RCHT and the Central Cornwall PCT said both recognised the value of the service and remained committed to providing a family history breast clinic.

A joint statement said: "Both organizations are seeking a speedy resolution to the service-based issues currently being faced, and will be working together to support the reintroduction of this service as soon as possible."

The RCHT said it was writing to all women due to come in for family history breast clinic appointments and advised anyone with symptoms to contact their GP.

A spokeswoman for the Central Cornwall PCT Patients' Forum described the announcement as "disappointing".