A latest international panel of experts after studying the most recent evidence on mammograms to screen for breast cancer recommended that breast screening proves beneficial for women in their 50s and 60s.

The study has been made public after long debates about the pros and cons of the procedure. The study led by the World Health Organization's cancer agency included 29 independent experts from 16 countries who looked at 40 different studies.

The study’s findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, support current National Health Service (NHS) advice, which recommends women aged 50-69 are screened every three years.

It showed that the population of women going for breast screening in England has went down slightly over the past few years.

The report stated that despite technological advances, improved treatments for breast cancer and worries over potential risks, screening still exists.

As per NHS estimations, breast screening can help save 1,300 lives a year in the UK. The report stressed on the point that there are some pitfalls of this procedure, such as over the diagnosis period, if a slow-growing cancer that would not have caused harm is detected, it can sometimes lead to unnecessary treatment.

Report author Prof Stephen Duffy, of Queen Mary University of London, said, “This important analysis will hopefully reassure women around the world that breast screening with mammography saves lives. The evidence proves breast screening is a vital tool in increasing early diagnosis of breast cancer and therefore reducing the number of deaths”.

However, charities said women invited for breast screening should be given balance information so that they can decide whether to take up the offer or to reject it.