§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for screening women for breast cancer in(a) the 30 to 40 years and (b) over 50 years age groups. [23520]
§ Mr. BoatengThere is at present no evidence to suggest that screening all women aged 30 to 40 would be effective in reducing mortality from breast cancer, and the Government have no current plans to introduce screening for this age group. However, we are currently funding research into the effectiveness of screening women aged 40 to 50. Any decision to introduce screening for this age group will need to be based on the outcome of this research.
The National Health Service Breast Screening Programme was set up in 1988 and invites all women aged between 50 and 64 for screening every three years, with screening for older women available three yearly on request. The Government are funding research into changes which might improve the quality of the service to women, including reducing the screening interval, taking two mammographic views of the breast at all screening rounds, and routinely inviting women aged 65 to 69 for screening.