Question reference: S6W-04600
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 25 November 2021
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 8 December 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02085 by Maree Todd on 23 August 2021, whether women over 70 who have had breast cancer are entitled to self-refer into the breast screening programme in the absence of lumps, signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Answer
Once they have completed breast cancer treatment and follow-up with the symptomatic breast service, women aged 71 and over are ordinarily able to self-refer into the Scottish Breast Screening Programme for screening every three years. However, self-referrals for women in this age-group are currently suspended due to capacity challenges in the programme associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is important to stress that any woman, regardless of their age, who is concerned about possible symptoms of breast cancer should consult their GP straight away so these can be investigated, rather than wait for their next screening appointment.