It is vital that we tackle breast cancer at a local and national level, and ensure that women are diagnosed as early as possible. The NHS’s Breast Screening Programme in England offers all women between the ages of 50 and 70 the opportunity to be screened for breast cancer every three years.
Breast screening is essential to supporting early diagnosis of breast cancer, and preventing approximately 1,300 women dying each year. The Government must take steps to support earlier diagnosis through expanding the network of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) and ensuring the NHS meets the Faster Diagnosis Standard.
I understand that several steps are being taken to improve breast cancer screening rates in the United Kingdom. This includes providing £10 million funding through the Women’s Health Strategy to expand capacity for breast screening through the delivery of 29 new breast cancer screening units, 58 remote access upgrades and nearly 70 life-saving service upgrades.
The Government has committed to double the number of CT and MRI scanners, and I will be holding Ministers to account for delivering on these ambitions.