Ms Freeman questions why BreastScreen WA doesn't send screening mammogram reminders to women over 70. The response explains the lack of robust evidence supporting screening benefits for this age group and outlines alternative strategies for informing women over 70 about available screening.

AnsweredQoN 7098Legislative Assembly
Asked
1 December 2011
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

Why does Breastscreen not issue reminders for screening mammograms after women turn 70?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
20 February 2012
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
81 days
As at 17 January 2012, BreastScreen WA does not send reminders to women over 70 as, to date, there has not been robust medical evidence that women over the age of 70 benefit from participating in the mammographic screening program.
BreastScreen WA encourages asymptomatic women over 70 to discuss their screening needs with their General Practitioner (GP), in order to make their own decision if screening is suitable for their health circumstances. BreastScreen WA also urges all women of any age with symptoms that may be due to breast cancer to see their GP as soon as possible.
With the BreastScreen Consumer Reference Group, information for women 70 years and over has been developed about the availability of free screening in addition to resources such as the "Little Pink Book", which serves as an aide memoir to remind women of their screening anniversary dates.
BreastScreen WA also regularly advertises in seniors' oriented community newsletters that women over the age of 70 are welcome to attend BreastScreen WA for a free screening mammogram every two years.
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