Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Update on Screening

05 March 2024 · Department of Health and Social Care

Proposed by Andrew Stephenson Con Pendle

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • The Minister for the Department of Health and Social Care issued a Written Ministerial Statement on 2024-03-05 regarding the screening of women at very high risk of breast cancer.
  • NHS England has contacted 1487 women who were missed in the annual MRI check process, inviting them to join the Very High-Risk pathway.
  • A helpline has been set up to assist these women, and NHS England plans to review its referral processes to avoid similar issues in the future.

Issue summary

This statement addresses the identification and notification of women at very high risk of breast cancer who missed out on annual MRI checks due to inconsistent referral processes.

Action requested

NHS England has written to 1487 affected women, offering them urgent inclusion in the Very High-Risk pathway for annual MRI testing. A helpline is available for these women, and NHS England will review the referral process to prevent future issues.

Key facts

  • The group includes women who received radiotherapy treatment above the waist for Hodgkin lymphoma between 1962 and 2003.
  • 1487 women have been identified as not being on the correct Very High-Risk pathway for annual MRI testing.
  • NHS England will offer all affected women a scan within the next three months.
  • A smaller historic group is currently having their details verified and will be contacted soon.
  • An NHSE letter to the DHSC Secretary of State regarding this issue is attached.
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