MORE than 2,000 women in the North-East and North Yorkshire have been caught up in a breast cancer scare after faulty scanning equipment was withdrawn.

Most of the women have been told to book another scan using different equipment because of fears that cancer could have been missed.

But some will be told to simply attend their next routine breast screening session.

The problem - revealed today - has been caused by a glitch in advanced digital scanning equipment which means a potentially cancerous condition does not show up.

A total of 1,074 women are being contacted by Bishop Auckland hospital in County Durham.

The Friarage hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, is contacting 762 and Hexham General Hospital, in Northumberland, is contacting a total of 470.

Medical experts moved to reassure patients last night. They said the chance of breast cancer going undetected as a result of the problem was small. But the move has come as a shock to patients.

One Northallerton woman who asked not to be named said: "It is quite a shock to get something like this over your breakfast toast. I am hoping there is not problem and just trying to stay calm."

Hospitals in County Durham, North Yorkshire and Northumberland are putting on extra weekend and evening screening sessions to cope with the expected demand for extra mammography sessions.

The advanced computerised breast X-ray processing equipment at the three hospitals is being replaced after a case in France suggested it might make some abnormalities difficult to detect.

They stressed that the patients involved attended clinics because they had suspected breast cancer or a family history of the disease and the recall did not affect those screened as part of the National Breast Screening Programme.

The equipment - the Agfa Embrace CR(1A) Mammography Processing System - was withdrawn on the advice of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The French case prompted concerns that the processing equipment may make it difficult to detect a certain abnormality - called microcalcification.

In most cases this turns out to be harmless, but in a small number of women it can be an early sign of breast cancer.

The equipment was in use at Bishop Auckland from June 2002, at Hexham since July 31, 2003, and at Friarage after November 11, 2003.

Women who had mammograms before these dates or since June 10 this year are not affected.

Professor Rob Wilson, deputy medical director at South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Friarage Hospital, said: ''The chance of any pre-cancerous abnormalities in breasts being missed is extremely small - but we want to err on the side of caution for the patients concerned.''

Robert Aitken, medical director for County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Bishop Auckland General Hospital, said: ''We understand that women may be anxious about this issue, which is why we will be offering them a further test as soon as possible.''

Samia al Qadhi, joint chief executive of Breast Cancer Care, said: ''We understand that those women who are being recalled following the withdrawal of this equipment will be anxious and concerned.

''It is important for these women to remember that the risk of cancer not being detected as a result of the problem is small. However, we would urge all of those who receive an invitation for a further mammogram to attend their appointment.''

Patients who are concerned about the announcement or those who have changed their address since their last appointment can contact a dedicated, confidential NHS Direct helpline on 0191 270 5050.