
Essex woman urges self-referral mammograms for over-70s following cancer diagnosis
A 79-year-old Essex woman, Carol Turansky, found breast cancer after arranging a self-referred mammogram and now urges other women over 70 to self-refer for routine screening. She argues the NHS should educate older women about this option, as current invitations target ages 50–70. Her petition has over 70,000 signatures. Health authorities say screening benefits and risks vary by age and that overdiagnosis rises with age, but screening remains important if changes are noticed, with trials looking at extending access beyond current ages. Turansky faces a mastectomy.











