WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA — Carol Turansky, a 79-year-old woman from Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, launched a petition to encourage the NHS to better inform women over 70 about their eligibility to request breast screenings. Turansky received a breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year after she requested a scan from her local breast screening unit.

Turansky had no symptoms of breast cancer before her diagnosis. She had battled breast cancer 23 years prior to this recent diagnosis. Research indicates that one in three breast cancers occur in women aged 71 or older. Turansky's cancer was detected through screening, and she is scheduled to undergo a mastectomy.

"Without the mammogram, who knows? It would have grown and grown," Turansky said. "Cancer doesn't stop when you're 70 - and neither should mammograms."

The NHS routinely invites women aged 50 to 70 for breast screenings. Turansky's petition calls for an NHS campaign to inform older women on how to self-refer for a mammogram, collecting over 70,000 signatures. "Not enough people are aware that they can," she said.

Sam Robinson, from the Norfolk-based cancer charity Big C and a former breast cancer nurse, explained that screening for over 70s is not routine due to research indicating that treatments could be detrimental to their health. "The treatments could be detrimental to their health… that is research-based, so that's the reason why it stops for over 70s," Robinson said.

Robinson noted that the risk of overdiagnosis increases with age, according to NHS England. "It's more likely that someone in their older years will die with breast cancer rather than from breast cancer," she said. Robinson stated that for routine mammograms every three years, women over 70 can directly contact their local breast screening unit, and if they notice changes, they should contact their general practitioner.

The Department of Health and Social Care considers available evidence when making decisions about breast cancer screening programs. "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," a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said.

Cancer Research UK and AgeX are supporting a UK trial that examines the risks and benefits of extending screening to women aged 47 to 49 and 71 to 73. A report from this trial is anticipated in 2027. Mammograms are not routinely offered to women aged 49 and younger, or 71 and older.

Why It Matters

This petition addresses a gap in the national health service's communication regarding breast cancer screenings for older women. While routine invitations cease at age 70, women still retain the option to request screenings. The petition raises awareness that a portion of breast cancer diagnoses occur in women aged 71 or older. The ongoing UK trial, with results expected in 2027, may influence future national screening policies for older age groups.