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Written question asked by Scott Arthur (Labour) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by Diana Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 7 September 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, if she has made an assessment of the potential for using the (a) BOADICEA and (b) CanRisk models as the criteria for screening women under 50 for breast cancer.

Answer

Routine breast cancer screening starts for women at the age of 50 years old. Women under 50 years old are only offered screening if they are considered to be at high or very high risk. There are no current plans to change that criteria. The eligibility criteria for women in the Very High Risk programme includes the use of the online tool CanRisk. Further information on the Very High Risk programme and CanRisk is available at the following two links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/breast-screening-higher-risk-women-surveillance-protocols/tests-and-frequency-of-testing-for-women-at-very-high-risk--2#breast-cancer-brca-gene-carriers-and-equivalent-genetic-proven-risks#

https://canrisk.org/

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
24526
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Breast cancer Screening
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk