Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 26 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 28 June 2007. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Monday, 9 July 2007 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Breast Cancer: Portsmouth

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what account he has taken of trends in the demographics of Portsmouth in the operation of the NHS Breast Screening programme there;

Answer: The Department takes the issues of maintaining the three year interval for breast screening and the demographic challenges facing the breast screening programme over the coming years very seriously. This is why Professor Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, wrote to the chief executives of all 10 strategic health authorities (SHAs) in England on 9 February 2007 on behalf of the Department's Cancer Programme Board.The letter to the chief executive of South Central SHA (the SHA area covering Portsmouth), pointed out the demographic challenges facing local breast screening services to help local commissioners plan their service over the coming years. By 2008-09, South Central SHA will have to carry out 185,350 screenings per year (an additional 74 per cent. of its 2004-05 level, inclusive of women in the extended age range of 65-70) in order to achieve and/or maintain the three year screening interval. By 2015-16, 207,250 screenings per year will be needed, a 95 per cent. increase on 2004-05 activity.The letter also highlighted the importance of maintaining a three-year screening interval. Between January and March 2007, 99.1 per cent. of women served by the Portsmouth Breast Screening Unit were screened within 38 months of their previous screen. 51 per cent. of women had been screened within three years of their previous screen.The Portsmouth Unit are working hard to ensure that all women are screened within three years of their previous screen.

Secondary information