To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received from its medical advisers on the possible impact on breast cancer detection rates and breast cancer mortality rates of extending the routine call/recall element of the breast cancer screening programme to women aged 65-69.
The Scottish Executive is firmly committed to the Breast Screening Programme. At present, women aged 50-64 are invited every 3 years and women aged over 64 can attend on request, either through their General Practitioner or by calling their local breast screening centre.
A Scottish project aimed at assessing the implications of extending the upper age limit of invitation, which was undertaken in the West of Scotland, is due to be completed shortly. The results of the Scottish study will be considered by the Scottish Breast Screening National Advisory Group whose membership includes relevant medical expertise. In considering the findings of the project I would expect the Group to take into account issues such as breast cancer detection and mortality rates and the cost-effectiveness of any proposal to extend the upper age limit of routine screening.We will consider the Group's recommendations in due course.