WOMEN are being urged to attend their breast screening appointments – despite a review being carried out in the UK following controversy over the effectiveness of screening.
Meanwhile, Health Minister David Anderson MHK says the Isle of Man’s breast care service has been significantly enhanced following the appointment of a permanent consultant breast surgeon and the introduction of a sentinel node biopsy service and a planned breast reconstruction service in the island.
The independent review of the evidence underpinning breast screening is being carried out by the National Cancer Director for England Professor Sir Mike Richards.
It was launched after some medical studies cast doubts about whether a reduction in breast cancer deaths was attributable to breast screening – and whether it could actually cause more harm than good because of the emotional distress caused by false diagnosis.
There have been calls in Tynwald to extend screening to women over 70.
But Mr Anderson said: ‘The department monitors developments in screening in the UK very closely and acts on the best clinical advice.
‘With this review under way, the debate about extending breast screening in the Isle of Man to those aged between 47 to 49 and 71 to 73 is premature. The outcome of the review may not only impact on the extension of the breast screening age range currently being rolled-out in the UK, but also the clinical evidence underpinning breast screening itself and whether or not screening of the breast is necessary.
‘The message for now is clear – women should continue to attend their breast screening appointment when called, and I strongly encourage them to do so.’
A three-phase development plan for breast care services was first outlined by the Department of Health in 2010.
But Mr Anderson said the appointment of a new breast surgeon had been ‘hijacked as a political football’ ahead of last year’s general election.
Ms Millie Bello, consultant general surgeon with a special interest in oncoplastic breast surgery and breast care, took up her post at Noble’s Hospital on February 1.
Ms Bello has already been able to perform sentinel node biopsies, with breast reconstruction patients already booked-in over the coming weeks – all provided at Noble’s, reducing the cost of referring patients to UK hospitals and ensuring that patients don’t have to undergo the inconvenience and disruption of travel.
