Written question asked by Gareth Thomas (Labour) on Monday, 4 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Thursday, 7 November 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the target population for breast cancer screening was changed; and what percentage of the target population was screened in (a) 2000-01 and (b) 2001-02 in (i) England, (ii) each NHS region and (iii) each health authority. - Includes ref to data for 2000-01 in Department's statistical bulletin, in Library. Data on women screened between the age of 65 and 70 is not yet available.

Answer: Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the target population for breast cancer screening was changed; and what percentage of the target population was screened in (a) 2000-01 and (b) 2001-02 in (i) England, (ii) each NHS region and (iii) each health authority. [79799] Ms Blears: The National Health Service breast screening programme has been inviting women aged 50-64 to be screened every three years. The NHS Plan, published in July 2000, announced the extension of the programme to women aged 65 to 70. This extension is being rolled out over the three year period from 2001-2004. Data for 2000-01 is in the Department's statistical bulletin which is available in the Library. Data on the number of women screened between the age of 65 and 70 is not yet available as the extension began in 2001-02. Data for 2001-02 will be available in the Department's next statistical bulletin, which is due to be published early 2003.

Secondary information