Breast Cancer

(asked on 8th March 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report by the APPG on Breast Cancer, A Mixed Picture: An Inquiry into Geographical Inequalities and Breast Cancer, what steps he is taking to reduce inequalities in breast cancer outcomes across the UK; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
Steve Brine Portrait
Steve Brine
This question was answered on 13th March 2018

NHS England is committed to transforming cancer care for all cancers, including breast cancer, across the country, and to reducing inequality and promoting equity of access to services. The report recommends improving the use of data: NHS England and Public Health England (PHE) have set up the Cancer Alliance Data, Evidence and Analysis Service, to help drive evidence-based local decisions in the delivery of improved cancer outcomes, using a whole pathway and cross-organisational approach.

On workforce, NHS England is working closely with Health Education England (HEE) following publication in December of the cancer workforce plan, and Cancer Alliances will work with their local HEE offices and regional teams to produce local plans.

On early diagnosis, PHE has launched the ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ Campaign to raise awareness of specific symptoms and encourage those with symptoms to visit their doctor. The latest campaign, launched on 22 February, focuses on breast cancer in people aged over 70.

To improve the uptake of screening, we are continuing to invest in initiatives to help ensure equality of access, including through locally targeted interventions. PHE has produced a new ‘Breast screening: easy guide’, and this, along with other initiatives such as text and general practitioner reminders, are examples of some of the ways which we are getting the information through to women so they can decide whether screening is right for them.

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