Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 11 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 October 2006. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Thursday, 19 October 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Cancer Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the take up is of (a) breast and (b) cervical cancer screening in rural areas by women in their (i) 50's and (ii) 70's; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

Information is not available in the form requested as data cannot be disaggregated any lower than board level. Data are provided for the three board areas, which include mainly rural areas.Data are not available regarding breast screening uptake rates for women in their 50's. However, the uptake rate for breast screening for women in rural areas in the 50-64 age group is detailed in the table:

HSS board breast screening uptake rate
	Percentage
Northern HSS Board	79.3
Southern HSS Board	77.9
Western HSS Board	77.1

The uptake rate for cervical screening for 50-59 year old women in rural areas is 69.8 per cent.It is not possible to provide information for the number of women screened in their 70's as the Northern Ireland breast and cervical screening programmes do not routinely invite these women for screening.The target uptake rate for breast screening in Northern Ireland is 75 per cent. The target uptake rate for cervical screening is 76 per cent.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 450 c1373-4W;450 c1379-80W; 94113
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Cancer Northern Ireland Screening
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Cancer Services

Secondary information

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