❓ Hon George Cash questions BreastScreen WA's policy of not inviting women over 70 for mammograms, citing increased breast cancer risk with age. The Minister responds that the policy is based on evidence suggesting limited benefit for this age group and that the policy is under review.
AnsweredQoN 876Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to BreastScreen WA which provides a mammogram service for women in Western Australia, and ask -
(1) What are the public policy reasons on which BreastScreen WA bases its decision not to write to women aged over 70 advising of their two-yearly mammogram appointment, given BreastScreen WA advertising claims that the risk of breast cancer increases with age?
(2) Will the Minister review this situation with a view to not discriminating against women aged over 70 years?
(1) What are the public policy reasons on which BreastScreen WA bases its decision not to write to women aged over 70 advising of their two-yearly mammogram appointment, given BreastScreen WA advertising claims that the risk of breast cancer increases with age?
(2) Will the Minister review this situation with a view to not discriminating against women aged over 70 years?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
27 June 2003
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
3 days
1.
The decision of BreastScreen WA to not write to women over the age of 70 advising them to have a mammogram, has been based on extensive epidemiological evidence from World Health Medical literature that was collated for the National Breast Cancer Centre in 2001, by the eminent epidemiologist Dr Les Irwig. This literature review indicated that the risk of dying from other causes was greater in women over the age of 70 and that there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that population screening was of benefit to this group. All women who have attended BreastScreen WA are advised that while they will not be invited to reattend for a mammogram they are welcome to attend and that they may ring to make an appointment, at any time in the future. I table the client information for women over 70.
2.
The Department of Health, BreastScreen Australia and the National Breast Cancer Centre are reviewing the issue of woman over the age of 70 being invited for a screening mammogram. Should it become evident after this review that there is robust evidence of a measurable benefit to the population of women over the age of 70 participating in a population screening program, the current policy will be changed accordingly. The BreastScreen WA invitation policies are based on the best world medical evidence available in order to ensure that an evidence based equitable, effective service is provided to all Western Australian women at risk of breast cancer.
See tabled paper.
The decision of BreastScreen WA to not write to women over the age of 70 advising them to have a mammogram, has been based on extensive epidemiological evidence from World Health Medical literature that was collated for the National Breast Cancer Centre in 2001, by the eminent epidemiologist Dr Les Irwig. This literature review indicated that the risk of dying from other causes was greater in women over the age of 70 and that there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that population screening was of benefit to this group. All women who have attended BreastScreen WA are advised that while they will not be invited to reattend for a mammogram they are welcome to attend and that they may ring to make an appointment, at any time in the future. I table the client information for women over 70.
2.
The Department of Health, BreastScreen Australia and the National Breast Cancer Centre are reviewing the issue of woman over the age of 70 being invited for a screening mammogram. Should it become evident after this review that there is robust evidence of a measurable benefit to the population of women over the age of 70 participating in a population screening program, the current policy will be changed accordingly. The BreastScreen WA invitation policies are based on the best world medical evidence available in order to ensure that an evidence based equitable, effective service is provided to all Western Australian women at risk of breast cancer.
See tabled paper.
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