Age Concern New Zealand media release - 5 July 2000

Age limit on mammography should be extended

Age Concern supports the sensible amalgamation of the cervical screening and breast screening mammography into one national programme.

“It is high time to lift the age limit of 64 for free mammography. Older women are as prone to breast cancer as other ages,” says Dr Margaret Guthrie, Age Concern national president.

The incidence rates for older women aged over 60 are more than 20 times the incidence rates for women aged under 30. Over 70% of breast cancer registrations are in women aged over fifty.*

*Source: The New Zealand Medical Journal, 23 April 1999, Vol. 112, No. 1086, pp129-130.

ENDS

Age Concern is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation working to promote the well-being and quality of life of older people in New Zealand, since 1948.

For further information please contact: Dr Margaret Guthrie, National President (hm) 0-4-233 9016

http://www.ageconcern.org.nz

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