§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what figures are available to indicate by age group (a) the number of women diagnosed as having breast cancer in Northern Ireland in each of the past three years, (b) the number of those who have been, or are being successfully treated and (c) the number of those who have died due to the cancer.
§ Mr. NeedhamThis information is not available in the precise form requested. Table A shows the number of new cases of malignant neoplasm of the female breast registered with the Northern Ireland cancer registration scheme for 1982, 1983 and 1984. Table B shows the number of deaths registered in these years with the general register office, where this disease was the principal cause of death. In view of known deficiencies in the data from the Northern Ireland cancer registration scheme and the variation in time between a case being registered and a 421W death occurring, statistics on deaths in a year should not be directly associated with new cases registered for that year.
Table A New Cases of Malignant Neoplasm of Female Breast Registered for 1982, 1983 and 1984 Year 0–14 15–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+ All ages 1982 — — 9 63 123 130 124 118 567 1983 1 — 15 60 115 162 132 105 590 1984 1 2 20 71 103 129 98 124 548
Table B Deaths registered from Malignant Neoplasm of Female Breast in 1982, 1983 and 1984 Year 0–14 15–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65–74 75+ All ages 1982 — — 4 24 45 54 69 71 267 1983 — — 2 16 44 78 54 88 282 1984 — — 8 24 46 79 67 78 302
§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Government have any plans (a) to increase the availability or use of mammography in Northern Ireland or (b) to introduce a comprehensive breast screening programme with appropriate resources for diagnosis, further investigation, treatment and support; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe Government will decide their policy on the provision of a comprehensive breast cancer screening programme when they receive the final report of an expert working group chaired by Sir Patrick Forrest, which is examining the options available for the introduction of screening by mammography and the benefits and costs associated with them. The working group report is expected later this year.
§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement outlining the current provision in Northern Ireland of breast cancer screening; and how this compares with such provision in Great Britain.
§ Mr. NeedhamIn Northern Ireland and Great Britain women are encouraged through health education to examine their own breasts and report any abnormalities to their doctors. A Health Education Council leaflet giving guidance on how breast self-examination should be carried out is widely available.