Breast Cancer Now Volunteering in Isle of Man has added its voice to the flood of islanders hitting out at government plans to reduce cancer screening.
The DHSC’s Mandate to Manx Care sets out “decreasing [the] frequency of routine screening for breast and cervical cancer” from every two years to every three.
Posting on Facebook, the charity said it knows that the change would have a “dire effect” on the island and especially women.
Fought
It said: “Jan Brooks MBE, one of our charity’s Isle of Man founders, fought for the two-year screening when it was first introduced around 1997.
“Mrs Brooks had researched that most of Europe, the US and Australia recommend two-year screening and still do! The UK went with three-year screening because of cost and administration, effectively ignoring the published data on screening.
“We in the Isle of Man, are leaders in breast screening and have been proud to have two yearly screening for women over 50 plus for some 28 years.
“Will this move really save that much money for Manx Care? If screening only takes place every three years, breast cancers won’t be caught as early, resulting in lengthy and more complex treatments for the patient.
“The earlier the cancer is diagnosed the easier it is to treat and more lives will be saved.”
Contact
The charity says people who oppose the change should contact their MHKs to “request/plead/beg them to oppose this change”.
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