Will you still need me, will you still screen me, when I'm past 64?

摘要

Breast screening policy in Britain is based on women's age, as it should be. Age is the most important risk factor for breast cancer, and in younger women the health gain from screening is van-ishingly small. A lower age limit is therefore rational. But when age related decisions are irrational or inequitable, they may reflect ageism. Is this the case with the upper limit for breast screening? The NHS screening service follows the recommendation in the Forrest report that in view of poor response rates there is insufficient benefit from offering screening to women aged 65 and over, though it may be available on request.