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Written question asked by Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 July 2026. It was answered by Sharon Hodgson (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Breast Cancer: Screening

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of expanding the National Inherited Cancer Predisposition Register to include all women at increased risk of breast cancer.

Answer

The Government is committed to improving outcomes for people with breast cancer, including those at higher risk of developing the disease.

The new and world-leading NHS National Inherited Cancer Predisposition Registry (NICPR), which is part of the National Disease Registration Service, will help the National Health Service to deliver proactive, targeted prevention, surveillance, and earlier diagnosis for people and their families. Self-testing swabs will accelerate access to genomic tests, and those who need it will get genetic counselling, regular surveillance checks, and prophylactic treatment options.

Women at increased risk of breast cancer are included within the NICPR where they have inherited genetic variants associated with an increased risk of cancer. The NICPR supports the identification and management of individuals with inherited cancer predisposition syndromes, and women at very high risk of breast cancer are additionally supported through nationally commissioned NHS services, including the NHS Breast Screening Programme's very high-risk surveillance pathway.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
15161
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Breast cancer Screening
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk