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The risk of breast cancer increases with age and currently a third of all diagnoses occur in women aged 70 and over. More than half of breast cancer deaths in the UK are in women over 70. Most men who develop the disease in England are over 60.
The APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) on Breast Cancer is concerned that many older breast cancer patients are not receiving the same level of treatment and support experienced by younger patients with the same disease and is therefore holding an inquiry on this topic.
It will focus on three key areas:
- Breast cancer risk, awareness and early detection
- Access to gold standard treatments
- Access to information and support
The Inquiry aims to pinpoint any barriers affecting older people accessing treatments and services and help uncover models of good practice - it has already secured the backing of Prime Minister David Cameron. Breakthrough Breast Cancer, with the support of Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Campaign, is co-ordinating the Inquiry on behalf of the APPG.
Breaking News
Follow progress of the inquiry and breaking news on Twitter using the APPG on Breast Cancer’s twitter handle @appgbc and the hashtags #breastcancer #inquiry2013 in your tweet.
Inquiry Panel
A panel of MPs and Peers has been appointed to lead the inquiry:
Panel Chair
Steve Brine MP Co-chair of the APPG on Breast Cancer
Panel members
Annette Brooke MP Co-chair of the APPG on Breast Cancer
Sharon Hodgson MP Co-chair of the APPG on Breast Cancer
Baroness Delyth Morgan Vice-chair of the APPG on Breast Cancer and Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Campaign
Paul Burstow MP former Minister and care services champion
Fiona Mactaggart MP Labour champion for older people
Nick de Bois MP Chair of Primary Care and Public Health Parliamentary Group
Baroness Joan Bakewell Broadcaster and champion for older people in the House of Lords, and Patron of Breast Cancer Care
Baroness Sally Greengross Chair of the APPG on Dementia and the APPG on Ageing and Older People
Public Evidence Sessions
There are three public sessions at which the panel will hear further evidence from experts, organisations and patients:
Session 1: Breast Cancer Risk, awareness and early detection: tackling late presentation
Tuesday 16 April 2-4pm
Committee Room 8, Houses of Parliament, Westminster
Confirmed witnesses:
Anna Soubry MP Health Minister
Professor Julietta Patnick Director NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
Dr Lindsay Forbes Co-Director, King's College London Promoting Early Cancer Presentation Group
Amanda Boughey, Cancer Research UK
The venue for upcoming sessions has now changed.
We suggest everyone arrives at least 20 minutes before the session is due to start - you will also need to go to the Visitors' Entrance to the Houses of Parliament and allow 30-40 minutes to clear security. The nearest tube station is Westminster. If you do get stuck in the long queue (there are often a lot of tourists going to visit) speak to one of the police officers on the entrance and let them know you are attending an Inquiry session and they will let you go down the fast-track line.
Session 2: Access to gold standard treatments (including, where clinically appropriate, breast reconstruction)
Tuesday 23 April 2-4pm
New venue: Committee Room 19, Houses of Parliament, Westminster
We suggest everyone arrives at least 20 minutes before the session is due to start - you will also need to go to the Visitors' Entrance to the Houses of Parliament and allow 30-40 minutes to clear security. The nearest tube station is Westminster. If you do get stuck in the long queue (there are often a lot of tourists going to visit) speak to one of the police officers on the entrance and let them know you are attending an Inquiry session and they will let you go down the fast-track line.
Confirmed witnesses
Professor Mike Richards Director for Reducing Mortality, NHS England
Gill Lawrence Director West Midlands Cancer Intelligence Unit
Mr Dick Rainsbury President, Association of Breast Surgery & Consultant Breast Surgeon, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester
Professor Malcolm Reed Professor of Surgical Oncology and Head of the Department of Oncology, University of Sheffield
Professor Riccardo A Audisio Professor of Surgery, University of Liverpool & Consultant Surgical Oncologist, St Helens Teaching Hospital
Dr Alistair Ring Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Oncology
Session 3: Access to information and support
New date, time and venue:
Thursday 9 May, 9.30-11.30am
Committee Room 20, Houses of Parliament, Westminster
We suggest everyone arrives at least 20 minutes before the session is due to start - you will also need to go to the Visitors' Entrance to the Houses of Parliament and allow 30-40 minutes to clear security. The nearest tube station is Westminster. If you do get stuck in the long queue (there are often a lot of tourists going to visit) speak to one of the police officers on the entrance and let them know you are attending an Inquiry session and they will let you go down the fast-track line.
Confirmed witnesses
Hazel Brodie Macmillan Cancer Support
Emma Blows Research Associate, Kings College London
Judy Dadswell Peer Support Volunteer, Breast Cancer Care
Attend one of the sessions
You can come along and watch one of the public sessions where parliamentarians will debate the priorities for older people with breast cancer - this is a great opportunity to listen to the key issues and recommendations that are being made.
We suggest everyone arrives at least 20 minutes before the session is due to start - you will also need to allow another 30 minutes to clear the airport-style security. The nearest tube station is Westminster. We can share a briefing on each of the sessions with some of the key messages and areas that the panel will be asking questions on.
To book your place, please email lizziec@breakthrough.org.uk or call 020 7025 0277. Places will be given on a first come, first served basis. Limited bursaries are available to cover travel expenses.
Are you aged 65 or over and have you been diagnosed with breast cancer? Share your story.
We are keen to hear from people over the age of 65 who have been diagnosed in the last five years, as well as their families, partners and carers.
Real-life stories are vital in inspiring others. By sharing your stories and experiences you will help raise awareness of the importance of breast cancer and make sure our messages reach as many people as possible.
You could help us to promote our vital campaign and awareness messages online, in print or by broadcast media. For more information please contact Lizzie Cook.