§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has commissioned into the effectiveness of three-yearly breast scans for women aged over 50 years; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleIn 1985 the Government commissioned a working group chaired by Professor Sir Patrick Forrest to consider evidence of the effectiveness of breast screening by mammography. The group's report concluded that three yearly screening for women aged 50 to 64 would have a substantial impact on mortality; the national screening programme was established on the basis of the Forrest recommendations.
In the financial year 1990–91, the Department spent approximately £370,000 on research into breast cancer screening including the funding of the cancer screening evaluation unit which is currently measuring the extent to which population based programmes of screening and education can reduce mortality from breast cancer.
The Department is also funding with the Medical Research Council, the health Departments and the major charities, the United Kingdom Co-ordinating Committee for Cancer Research five-year programme of breast screening trials. This programme includes a multi-randomised trial of yearly versus three-yearly breast screening for women aged 50 to 64.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to change the interval between breast scans for women aged over 50 years; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleWe have no such current plans. The Department is contributing to a randomised five-year trial, begun in 1990, of some 100,000 women aged between 50 to 64, to look at the potential benefits of yearly versus three-yearly breast screening mammography. When the study is concluded, the results will be considered against the current screening policy.