Secondary breast cancer is an important risk factor after receiving radiotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma
NHS England has responded to the recent ministerial statement by newly establishing the Very High Risk (VHR) Pathway through the NHS Breast Screening Programme that invites eligible women for annual testing.
The NHS is contacting 1,487 women who are at increased risk of breast cancer due to having radiotherapy involving their chest for Hodgkin lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma is an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. An important risk factor after radiotherapy can include the development of secondary breast cancer, the most common cancer in the UK.
Recently, the minister of state for health and secondary care, Andrew Stephenson, said in his statement that NHS England contacted a group of women who were at “very high risk of breast cancer who have been eligible for annual MRI checks, but who may not have been routinely referred to the annual tests recommended in NHS guidance”.
This group of women received radiotherapy treatment above the waist to treat Hodgkin lymphoma from 1962 to 2003 and have not received an MRI since. Due to this, this cohort of women are at an increased risk of breast cancer.
The NHS have now rapidly reviewed these cases of women in England, to be incorporated into the VHR programme.
Since 4 March, the NHS has been sending letters to inform women that they are eligible for VHR screening, as well as women who were previously ceased from the programme due to having had a bilateral mastectomy.
In addition, NHS England is also checking that all eligible women are on the VHR pathway post 2003 and will contact any women who have been referred to invite them for imaging.
Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said: “All women affected will now be offered support and invited for an annual MRI, and in most cases an annual mammogram, as soon as possible – the NHS will aim to complete this within three months.”

https://pharma.com/news/nhs-to-ensure-people-eligible-for-very-high-risk-breast-screening-are-referred/