Breast Cancer: Women Over 73

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb Excerpts

Tuesday 15th January 2019 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Manzoor]

My Lords, I agree entirely with the noble Lord, Lord Winston. It is always better to do preventive care. I am a passionate believer in that, and so is the department. As I said, however, the reality is that peer reviews in this country demonstrate different evidence. At the moment, we can only look at peer-based evidence and reviews undertaken by clinicians and researchers.

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

My Lords, is the Minister implying that the lives of older women are less important?

[Baroness Manzoor]

Absolutely not, my Lords. Screening has to be evidence based, there are very clear criteria, and where there is a need, we will endeavour to do it. It is not about inequality or accessibility. If any lady, whatever her age, including women over the age of 73, feels that she has an issue when she is examining herself and there are abnormalities in the breast, she can refer herself to a GP or self-refer for screening. Women are openly and freely able to do it every three years and can be seen more often if the need arises.