Cross Party Support for Breast Cancer Screening

1.31.58pm GMT Wed 21st Feb 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Cardiff Central, Jenny Randerson along with Members from all four parties has urged the Assembly Government to ensure adequate resources are available to Breast Test Wales, to help deliver the most effective breast cancer screening programme possible. They believe the Assembly should be aiming to screen women aged 50 to 70 once every three years.

Women between the ages of 50 and 70 are invited to attend a special clinic or mobile screening unit to have a mammogram: an x-ray of the breasts every three years.

The local AM has jointly raised a Statement of Opinion to raise awareness of the importance of the screening programme, and the potential strain on resources in years to come.

Jenny said: "We know that breast cancer is more common in older women. What is more, regular screening of women over 50 has been shown to reduce deaths from the disease.

"There is also concern that a growing number of women are becoming eligible for screening - by 2025, Breast Test Wales will have to cope with a 17 per cent rise in the number of women eligible. I want the Assembly Government to commit to ensuring that adequate resources are in place to meet this challenge before it is too late."

Notes: The Statement Tabled Information.

DATGANIADAU BARN YSGRIFENEDIG /

WRITTEN STATEMENTS OF OPINION

A GYFLWYNWYD / TABLED ON

15/02/2007

R Yn dynodi bod yr Aelod wedi datgan buddiant

R Signifies the Member has declared an interest

OPIN-2007- 0017 - Yr Ymgyrch Mae Sgrinio'r Fron yn Achub Bywydau/Breast Screening Saves Lives Campaign

Codwyd gan / Raised By:

Jenny Randerson (Welsh Lib Dem)

Lorraine Barrett (Labour)

Elin Jones (Plaid)

Alun Cairns (Conservatives)

Tanysgrifwyr / Subscribers

Owen John Thomas 19/02/2007 (Plaid)

Ann Jones 19/02/2007 (Labour)

Michael German 19/02/2007 (Welsh Lib Dem)

Eleanor Burnham 19/02/2007 (Welsh Lib Dem)

Kirsty Williams 19/02/2007 (Welsh Lib Dem)

Trish Law 20/02/2007 (Independent)

Breast Screening Saves Lives Campaign

The Assembly recognises the success of the Breast Test Wales Screening Programme in aiming to screen women from 50 to 70 once every three years but recognises take up of appointments is low in some areas and that some women have to wait longer; notes the expected 17% rise in women eligible for the Screening Programme between 2005 and 2025; and urges the Welsh Assembly Government to back Breakthrough Breast Cancer's Screening Saves Lives campaign to improve the effectiveness of the screening programme, and ensure Breast Test Wales is adequately resourced to meet the demographic challenge it faces.

Ends/diwedd

Andrew Sherwood,

Political Assistant to Jenny Randerson AM

Cardiff Central

Phone/Ffôn: 029 20898324

Fax/Ffacs: 029 20898356

Email/E-Bost: andrew.sherwood@wales.gov.uk

Correspondence to: The National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay, CF99 1NA