Breast Cancer (Hansard, 18 July 2003)

§ Mr. Baron
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to amend the Government's policy on screening for breast cancer. [126994]

§ Miss Melanie Johnson
The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation evaluated the evidence on breast cancer screening and concluded that trials have provided sufficient evidence for the efficacy of mammography screening of women between 50 and 69 years, and that the reduction in mortality from breast cancer among women who chose to participate in screening programmes was estimated to be about 35 per cent.
The Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer Screening monitors the effectiveness of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme and advises on how the screening programme should be amended.
On the advice of the committee the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme is being extended to women aged up to 70 and to upgrade the programme by introducing two-view mammography at all screening rounds, this will be completed by 2004.

§ Mr. Burstow
To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 10 July 2003 to the hon. Member for Cheadle (Mrs. Calton),Official Report, column 1001W, on breast cancer, what the baseline is against which his Department is measuring its progress on age discrimination; and what measurable changes have been achieved to date. [126341]

§ Dr. Ladyman
Figures published in the "National Service Framework for Older People: A Report of Progress and Future Challenges", in March 2003 showed that, between 2000 and 2002, breast cancer surgery for patients aged 85 and over rose by 13 per cent.
Source:
Hospitals Episode Statistics—Department of Health.