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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets are in place for the maximum period between performance of a radiogram and discussion of the result with the patient affected; and if he will make a statement. [56476] Mr. Boateng: Women aged 50 to 64 are invited for mammograms routinely every three years as part of the breast screening programme. National Health Service Breast Screening Programme guidance states that women should receive their results within two weeks. Where further investigation is necessary, women should be invited to attend a breast screening assessment centre within three weeks of the mammogram being performed. Mammograms are also taken as part of the diagnosis of cancer in women with suspected breast cancer. The evidence based guidance Improving Outcomes in Breast Cancer published in July 1996 recommends that the results of the tests should be given to the patient within five working days. The Government recognise the high levels of anxiety that patients can experience when waiting for diagnosis and treatment of cancer and have made available £10 million to ensure prompt access to diagnosis and high quality care for those with breast cancer. This has been used to support over 300 projects across the country, including the introduction of `one-stop' breast clinics where women can undergo all necessary tests, (including mammograms), for diagnosis of cancer at one visit and receive their results in line with published guidance.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

318 c70W; 56476

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Breast cancer Screening