Coleen Nolan and Brenda Edwards, Loose people panellists, have questioned why mammograms are only routinely provided on the NHS to people over 50, despite the fact that some women are diagnosed with breast cancer when they are younger.
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 63 on Sunday, June 25th.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the duchess said: ‘Sarah, Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening.
‘She was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully.’
They outlined that Sarah is receiving ‘the best medical care’ and has been told by doctors that her ‘prognosis is good’ as she recuperates with family.
They also shared that the duchess was ‘otherwise symptom free’, and ‘believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening’.
On Monday’s Loose ladies, panellist Charlene White pointed out that all of the ladies on the panel know people who were diagnosed when they were younger than 50, including Brenda, 54, who was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in 2015.
She also mentioned that Coleen Nolan’s sisters were diagnosed with the disease when they were too young to be invited to the screenings.
‘The NHS says if you are younger than 50 the risk of breast cancer is generally very low,’ Charlene, 43, said.
‘There’s little evidence to show that regular mammograms for women below the screening age would reduce deaths from breast cancer.’
However, she then added: ‘It does get you thinking if we know so many people under the age of 50, is that something that you’d have taken up if it had been offered to you after 40?’
Coleen, 58, said that she would have done, stating: ‘I do think it’s important. I know it’s much less for under 50s, but it still happens. It does still happen, so why not, let’s get on top of it earlier from an earlier age?’
Brenda chimed in to say: ‘I just don’t understand if you can do a smear test from when you start taking contraception or from the age of 18 [smear tests are offered to women between the ages of 25 and 64], why you can’t do the same?’
According to Charlene, cervical cancer is more common in younger women than breast cancer, which is more common in older people.
Jane Moore, 61, also raised that with the NHS, it’s a case of ‘balancing the budget’ when putting those factors in mind.
Charlene continued: ‘The important thing is that we can take away from this is when those mammograms are offered, you have to take them up. I know there’s a fear that goes alongside that, but it’s better to know what you’re dealing with than not.’
Gesturing towards Brenda, she said: ‘You wouldn’t be here with us had you not checked yourself out.’
Brenda shared that it was a ‘scary experience’ going through her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, because she didn’t know ‘what to expect’.
‘But it saved my life,’ she added. ‘So I’d do it time and time again. Absolutely.’
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV.
Who is invited for breast screenings by the NHS?
On the NHS website, it states: ‘Anyone registered with a GP as female will be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 71. You’ll get a letter in the post inviting you.’
The national health service continues: ‘You’ll automatically get your first invite for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53. Then you’ll be invited every 3 years until you turn 71.
‘If you’re a trans man, trans woman or are non-binary you may be invited automatically, or you may need to talk to your GP surgery or call the local breast screening service to ask for an appointment.
‘You need to be registered with a GP surgery to be invited for breast screening.’
It adds: ‘See a GP if you have any symptom of breast cancer. Even if you have recently had a clear breast screening.
‘Do not wait for your next breast screening appointment.’
How should you check your breasts for lumps or irregularities?
Discussing the importance of being breast aware, Addie Mitchell, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, wants women to know there is no right or wrong way to check your breasts.
‘It’s about looking and feeling regularly so any changes can be spotted quickly,’ she said. ‘The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment may be.
‘Whatever your age, being aware of all the signs and symptoms of breast cancer is crucial – it’s not just a lump to look out for. Other changes could be a nipple becoming inverted or a change in texture of the skin.
‘While most symptoms won’t mean breast cancer, if you notice anything unusual for you get it checked out by your GP.
‘Anyone with questions can call Breast Cancer Now’s nurses free on 0808 800 6000 or visit breastcancernow.org.uk.’
