Breast Cancer

Baroness Hodge of Barking Excerpts

Monday 15th December 2025 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Hodge of Barking]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to enable women over the age of 70 to continue to be invited by the NHS to have regular mammograms to support the early detection of breast cancer.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care (Baroness Merron) (Lab)]

My Lords, too many women are dying of breast cancer. Even with a national screening programme, tragically, 11,500 die from breast cancer each year in the UK. AgeX, a large and important research study, is investigating the effects of routine screening of women over 70. Results are expected in 2027. The UK National Screening Committee has been closely involved throughout, and we will use the findings as soon as they are available.

[Baroness Hodge of Barking (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend the Minister for her Answer. She is right that a common cause of death in women is breast cancer, but age is a primary risk. One in three breast cancers occurs in women aged over 70 but, shockingly, nearly half of breast cancer deaths occur in women over 70. Yet the NHS stops inviting and encouraging women to have a mammogram at 70. Given the evidence, can the Minister bring the review of the age limit to a close more urgently than 2027, stop the discrimination against older women and ensure that women continue to be invited to have a mammogram after the age of 70?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

My noble friend makes a very powerful case; I am grateful to her for doing so. The UK National Screening Committee continuously monitors emerging evidence through horizon scanning and maintains active engagement with international peers. Should robust evidence regarding the extension of breast screening age thresholds become available, the committee will look at it right away. In the meantime, a suite of public-facing information communicates to women aged 71 and over that they can have screening every three years if they wish. I realise that does not quite meet my noble friend’s request, but I hope it indicates movement to support women aged 71 and over.