There is currently insufficient evidence for inviting women aged over 70 for screening, but research is underway for the advisory committee on breast cancer screening. A final report is due in the next few weeks, and the committee will advise us on a way forward.
Women aged over 70 are offered three-yearly screening on request. Those who have already participated in the programme should be informed of this right after the age of 70.
We have collaborated with Age Concern to produce the leaflet, “Over 70? You are still entitled to breast screening”. The leaflet is widely available in general practitioner surgeries, health centres, breast screening units and Age Concern outlets.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published clinical guidance in May 2004 (updated October 2006 to reflect new evidence) on “The classification and care of women at risk of familial breast cancer in primary, secondary and tertiary care”. This provides clear guidance to health professionals on how to identify and manage patients who are, or are concerned that they may be, at increased risk of developing breast cancer because of their family history. The guidance has raised awareness among health professionals of the need to consider the possibility of genetic risk in women with a family history of the disease.
The Department is also currently jointly funding, with Macmillan Cancer Support, pilot services in seven sites, for people at risk of, or concerned about, familial cancer. The model offers a continuum of advice and care involving primary care, local cancer services and specialised genetic and cancer services to provide consistent management of individuals in the appropriate setting according to their level of risk. These aim to provide better, more patient-focused services for those concerned about their inherited risk of developing cancer by ensuring health care professionals along the patient pathway have relevant information to support and inform patients.