Written question asked by Peter Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 26 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 November 2004. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 November 2004 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the extent to which those with learning difficulties in the Province make use of screening programmes for (a) breast and (b) cervical cancer.

Answer: Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the extent to which those with learning difficulties in the Province make use of screening programmes for (a) breast and (b) cervical cancer. [194525] Angela Smith: All women in Northern Ireland who are in the screening age group are routinely invited for breast and cervical screening. Routine data are available to show the uptake and coverage rates for the breast and cervical screening programmes as a whole. Data specifically relating to the number of women with learning difficulties being screened are not routinely collected as there is no single database that will provide a comprehensive list of women with learning difficulties.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 194525; 426 c328W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Cervical cancer Breast cancer Learning disability Northern Ireland Screening
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk