[Wera Hobhouse MP taken by House of Commons photographer Jess Taylor.]
Bath’s Lib-Dem MP, Wera Hobhouse has presented a Bill in Parliament calling for a review of the screening age for breast cancer diagnoses.
Mrs Hobhouse has been campaigning for the screening age for breast cancer to be reviewed after meeting with local resident, Lucy, who was diagnosed with primary breast cancer at the age of 38 and again with an incurable secondary breast cancer at the age of 41.
Lucy’s symptoms were initially dismissed by doctors even though she had a family history of breast cancer.
Now she has put forward a Presentation Bill to the House of Commons calling for a review of the national breast cancer screening programme and requiring the government to consider the benefits of lowering the age of screening.
Currently, the NHS Breast Screening Programme invites women to get screened for breast cancer every three years between the ages of 50 and 70.
The Bath MP also tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) for a review into breast cancer screening. It notes the concerning rise in breast cancer cases in younger women and dispels the misconception that breast cancer only affects older women.
According to Cancer Research UK, breast cancer accounts for 43% of all cancers diagnosed in women aged 25-49.
Wera Hobhouse’s campaign to review the breast cancer screening age has already gained support from a range of cross-party MP’s with over twenty signatures for her EDM.
This recent work builds on her campaign to secure timely diagnoses for young women with breast cancer. In November, she held a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament to urge the government to address the worrying concern of breast cancer in younger women and review the national breast cancer screening programme.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, said:
“Far too many young women like Lucy are missing out on timely diagnoses and treatment because they fall under the routine screening age.
“But early detection is crucial for ensuring that women have the best chances of recovery. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the more likely it is to be successfully treated.
“It’s imperative we properly review the NHS breast screening programme to ensure that we are able to spot the signs of cancer early and support women to access the timely care they deserve.”
Wera Hobhouse’s Presentation Bill will be read a second time on 7th March 2025 and states:
Bill to require the Secretary of State to review the current arrangements for breast cancer screening, including the potential merits of reducing the minimum age at which women are invited for regular breast cancer screening and of increasing the use of automated breast ultrasound; and for connected purposes.
The Bill is co-sponsored by Liberal Democrat MP, Clive Jones.
- Wera Hobhouse’s Early Day Motion can be found here and states:
That this House recognises the worrying rise in breast cancer cases in younger women; notes with concern that breast cancer accounts for 43% of all cancers diagnosed in women aged 25-49, yet women wait until they are 50 or older to begin routine screening; urges everyone to work together to dispel the misconception that breast cancer only affects older women; commends the medical professionals who provide top class care to patients once diagnosed; and calls on the Government to review the current arrangements for breast cancer screening, including the merits of reducing the minimum age at which women are invited for regular breast cancer screening.
- 4. Wera Hobhouse’s Westminster Hall debate can be found in Hansard here.
