Breast Scans

Baroness Thornton Excerpts

Monday 19th November 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

That is precisely what I have asked to committee to advise on.

[Baroness Thornton (Lab)]

I have a suspicion that were this a procedure which men had regularly to go through on a sensitive part of their body there might have been some urgency and investment to mitigate the discomfort. I welcome the assurance given by the Minister about the research that will be undertaken, but will he assure us also that resources will be made available if that research shows that such cushions or other mitigating equipment are needed to ensure that all women who need mammograms can get them?

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

There is absolutely no doubt that women are much braver and have a much higher pain threshold than men. I suspect that it is not so much about the availability of the devices, because I am sure that almost every hospital has them, as about how they should be deployed in such a way as not to interfere with the screening. That is what I will be asking for advice on.