MORE women suffer from breast cancer in Wyre Forest than anywhere else in the West Midlands, shock new figures show.

The number of patients with the condition has been steadily rising - and health bosses do not know why.

Urgent meetings have been held to look at the alarming figures, which form part of a major report into the state of people's health in Wyre Forest.

Ray Duffell, director of public health at Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust, which commissioned the report, said: "This is an area where we really feel we have to put some time and effort to better understand. We do not have an immediately obvious reason behind it.

"It is surprising but we need to spend some time to stop feeling surprised and focus on what the causes might be."

The figures show the rate of invasive breast cancer cases almost doubled between 1981 and 2000 from about 80 to 140 cases per 100,000 people.

The report also found Wyre Forest was "significantly above" the average rate of deaths a year for Worcestershire, which Mr Duffell said was due in part to mortality rates in deprived wards.

In particular, the Oldington and Foley Park ward, in Kidderminster, had a significantly above average number of deaths for strokes and coronary heart disease, the report said.

Mr Duffell said: "The reason we have an above average figure (for mortality rates in Wyre Forest) is because of the significant problems we face in some parts of the Wyre Forest and Oldington and Foley Park is the most extreme example."

The report put the life expectancy for Wyre Forest men at 75.6 years and 80.2 for women. It also urged health trusts and partners to "encourage greater access to healthier choices within schools".

The overall number of people in Wyre Forest suffering from circulatory disease had declined during the last 10 years, the report found.