An independent review is under way
BMJ 2011; 343 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d6843 (Published 25 October 2011) Cite this as: BMJ 2011;343:d6843
- Mike Richards, national clinical director for cancer and end of life care, Department of Health, London
- Mike.Richards{at}ncat.nhs.uk
Dear Susan
Your letter raises several important issues. These include the current state of the evidence relating to the benefits and harms of breast screening; how this information is communicated to women in order to promote informed choice; and the process by which decisions on screening are made in this country, including my own role. I welcome this opportunity to discuss all these issues.
When I became national cancer director 12 years ago the NHS breast screening programme was one of the few aspects of cancer service delivery that was generally judged to be working well. Broad decisions on screening programmes were, and still are, taken by the independent UK National Screening Committee, which advises ministers in all four UK countries. …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £173 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£38 / $45 / €42 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.