Are Text Message Reminders an Effective Intervention for Improving the Uptake of Breast Screening?

Breast Cancer is the single most common cancer, and the third leading cause of cancer cancer deaths, in the United Kingdom. Breast screening is able to detect breast cancer in the early stages of development, during which time it is more easily treatable. Unfortunately, many patients do not attend screening, and surveys issued to these women consistently report "forgetfulness" as the primary reason for missing the appointment. Both telephone reminders and postal reminders have been shown to reduce non-attendance, however, these are time consuming and expensive. Mobile telephones are becoming an increasingly popular tool for communication between healthcare professionals and patients, one which might offer an inexpensive solution for delivering reminders. Text message reminders have been able to prevent missed appointments in other areas of healthcare, and the same might be true for breast screening. The investigators are conducting a trial to confirm whether this is the case or not. In this trial, the investigators will send some women a text message to reminder them of their appointment, and other women no reminder for their appointment. The investigators will then compare the number of women in each group that went to their breast screening appointment.