Mims Davies, MP for Eastleigh has called for an end to the stark inequalities in breast cancer diagnosis and care across England – engaging with requests made by local constituents in Botley, Eastleigh and Hedge End to investigate the issue after their own experiences with the disease.
Her support follows the launch of a new All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer report which finds concerning geographical variation in NHS services – and supported by leading charity Breast Cancer Now.
Eastleigh constituents are served by Wessex Cancer Alliance, where the percentage of breast cancers detected at stage one or two - the stages which give the best chance of successful treatment - varies between 65.2% in NHS Dorset CCG and 80.1% in NHS Portsmouth CCG.
Mims said:
“These widespread differences in the diagnosis, treatment and care of women with breast cancer, based on where they live, are shocking. We all have loved ones affected by this terrible disease, and we all want the best treatment possible to be available.
‘The statistics are shocking that, in the Hampshire area, the percentage of women aged 50-70 who have attended breast screening in the last 36 months varies between 68.2% in NHS Southampton CCG and 78.6% in NHS Isle of Wight CCG. Over 10% difference!
“It’s so so important to attend routine mammograms so that we can detect breast cancer as early as possible to give women the best chance of survival.
“I wholly support the Government’s ambition of world-class outcomes for all cancer patients, and I trust that NHS England and Public Health England will do all they can working with the Wessex Cancer Alliance to ensure they receive the support they need to meet this challenge.”
“Recently I’ve been campaigning on women’s health issues including the hormone pregnancy test Primidos and the difficulties associated with Vaginal Mesh Implants – and Breast Cancer is another key issue for female Eastleigh residents, and for their friends and family.’
Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now, which supported the inquiry, said:
“All women with breast cancer deserve the best possible chance of surviving and living well, no matter where they live, their age or the colour of their skin.
“This report shows too many women miss out on the best breast cancer care this country has to offer. We urge NHS England and Public Health England to take immediate action to ensure all women in the Eastleigh and across the country receive fair access to the care, treatment and support they need.”