Question reference: S6W-11987
- Date lodged: 10 November 2022
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 18 November 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many women aged 75 and over have self-referred for a breast screening appointment since the programme restarted on 29 August 2022, broken down by screening centre, and whether it plans to widen the eligibility criteria for this age group to self-refer to the breast screening programme.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally as it is a matter for Regional Screening Centres.
Self-referral appointments have begun in a careful, phased manner. At present, women aged 71 to 74 (up to their 75 th birthday), and women over 75 with a history of breast cancer, who have completed their hospital follow-up, can ask for a screening appointment.
The screening programme recognises the desire for clarity around when eligibility will be widened. However, it is essential to understand the impact the initial re-instatement is having on both programme capacity and overall wait times before any decisions on additional eligibility are taken. The programme is monitoring impact on an on-going basis, and I will provide an update to Parliament once any further decisions on expansion are possible.