Nurse's mammogram campaign set for Parliament debate

A Kent nurse is campaigning for changes to routine mammogram screening policies to "spare families heartaches".

Gemma Reeves, who works at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate, is calling for the age of mammogram screenings to be lowered to help "future proof" the health of younger women.

Her petition, due to be debated in Parliament on Monday, also calls for mammogram screening invites to be annual, rather than every three years.

A Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson said they were "taking decisive action to tackle breast cancer head-on" which included launching "world-leading AI trials to support analysis of mammograms".

"We are driving forward vital research that improves care and saves lives through our 10 Year Health Plan," they added.

"Decisions regarding screening for breast cancer are made based on the best available evidence, with the independent UK National Screening Committee keeping all programmes under careful review."

Reeves said if the policies changed it would "benefit everyone".

She said getting an early diagnosis "would be more cost‑effective in the long run".

Reeves said she launched her campaign after seeing a sharp rise in younger patients at QEQM since the pandemic.

She believes current policies may miss diagnoses, noting people expect screening at 50 but might not be invited until they are 53.

"While breast cancer would still occur, earlier screening could improve outcomes and potentially prevent deaths among younger patients," she added.

Reeves said the proposed changes could "save lives and spare families significant heartaches".

According to the NHS, women automatically get their first invitation for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53.

They will then be invited every three years until their 71st birthday.

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