Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 03 October 2012
03 Oct 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Breast Cancer
I, too, thank Linda Fabiani for securing this timely debate. The motion emphasises the importance of early detection in all cancer cases, and recognises that the Scottish Government’s detect cancer early initiative will first target breast cancer.
I add to that of Aileen McLeod my praise for the staff who work with people who have been diagnosed with cancer, and who do such great work, not only at the time of diagnosis, but through treatment and often beyond.
We know about breast cancer statistics: some 4,500 women, and some men, are diagnosed each year, and 1,000 will die each year from the disease. Linda Fabiani’s motion says that, in 2010, 460 women in the NHS Lanarkshire area were diagnosed with the condition. When I read the motion, I immediately checked to see how many women in my area—Greater Glasgow and Clyde—had been so diagnosed, as I am sure many of my colleagues did for their areas.
Statistics are a valuable tool: they help to inform us as legislators, and they allow services to be shaped. However, every one of those statistics is a person who has been given a diagnosis that they feared and who now knows that they are likely to face months of treatment.
I have an admission to make: when I looked at the figures that were helpfully provided by Breakthrough Breast Cancer, my first thought was not to look at the latest figures, but to check how many women in Greater Glasgow at the time shared my experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer—I cannot remember precisely when, but I think it was four years ago in 2008, which seems such a long time ago—and the number was 940 women. The cancer that I had affects only 1 per cent of those who are diagnosed and, although surgery and reconstruction were required, I was exceptionally lucky because I did not need chemotherapy or radiotherapy and was back at work less than two months after surgery. I am not sure that was a benefit, but there we go.
My reason for mentioning my own case is simply to reinforce the message that although screening is important, being aware of changes to your breasts is essential, no matter one’s age. Members may find it hard to believe, but when I was diagnosed I was too young—just—to have been called for screening. I had noticed a change; it was not a lump—I will spare people the details—but let me just say that in my case size really did matter. My experience is why I think that the Scottish Government’s current adverts that remind women of the need to be aware of any change to their breasts are so important, and why the TLC campaign is vital.
I decided to mention my experience because I am worried about the number of women in constituencies like mine who do not attend screening. As with so many other health issues, women from poorer areas are least likely to attend and most likely to need radical surgery and treatment when they are eventually diagnosed. I ask the minister to consider targeting those communities in order to encourage more women to come forward.
If we return to the statistics, only about 70 per cent of women in Glasgow take up the opportunity to have screening. I suspect, too, that the statistics cannot tell us the number of women who continue to soldier on when they know they have a problem, either because they are afraid of what it may mean or because they are worried about who will look after their children if they have to go into hospital and whether their employer will be sympathetic when they need time off.
My message is clear: “If you are called for screening, go. If you spot something that’s just a little bit different from normal, go to your GP as soon as you can. Follow the TLC campaign, encourage your daughters, your friends and anyone you know to do so, too. In most cases, you won’t have cancer and, if you do, the earlier it’s caught, the simpler the treatment is likely to be and the greater your chances of making a full recovery.”
17:29
I add to that of Aileen McLeod my praise for the staff who work with people who have been diagnosed with cancer, and who do such great work, not only at the time of diagnosis, but through treatment and often beyond.
We know about breast cancer statistics: some 4,500 women, and some men, are diagnosed each year, and 1,000 will die each year from the disease. Linda Fabiani’s motion says that, in 2010, 460 women in the NHS Lanarkshire area were diagnosed with the condition. When I read the motion, I immediately checked to see how many women in my area—Greater Glasgow and Clyde—had been so diagnosed, as I am sure many of my colleagues did for their areas.
Statistics are a valuable tool: they help to inform us as legislators, and they allow services to be shaped. However, every one of those statistics is a person who has been given a diagnosis that they feared and who now knows that they are likely to face months of treatment.
I have an admission to make: when I looked at the figures that were helpfully provided by Breakthrough Breast Cancer, my first thought was not to look at the latest figures, but to check how many women in Greater Glasgow at the time shared my experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer—I cannot remember precisely when, but I think it was four years ago in 2008, which seems such a long time ago—and the number was 940 women. The cancer that I had affects only 1 per cent of those who are diagnosed and, although surgery and reconstruction were required, I was exceptionally lucky because I did not need chemotherapy or radiotherapy and was back at work less than two months after surgery. I am not sure that was a benefit, but there we go.
My reason for mentioning my own case is simply to reinforce the message that although screening is important, being aware of changes to your breasts is essential, no matter one’s age. Members may find it hard to believe, but when I was diagnosed I was too young—just—to have been called for screening. I had noticed a change; it was not a lump—I will spare people the details—but let me just say that in my case size really did matter. My experience is why I think that the Scottish Government’s current adverts that remind women of the need to be aware of any change to their breasts are so important, and why the TLC campaign is vital.
I decided to mention my experience because I am worried about the number of women in constituencies like mine who do not attend screening. As with so many other health issues, women from poorer areas are least likely to attend and most likely to need radical surgery and treatment when they are eventually diagnosed. I ask the minister to consider targeting those communities in order to encourage more women to come forward.
If we return to the statistics, only about 70 per cent of women in Glasgow take up the opportunity to have screening. I suspect, too, that the statistics cannot tell us the number of women who continue to soldier on when they know they have a problem, either because they are afraid of what it may mean or because they are worried about who will look after their children if they have to go into hospital and whether their employer will be sympathetic when they need time off.
My message is clear: “If you are called for screening, go. If you spot something that’s just a little bit different from normal, go to your GP as soon as you can. Follow the TLC campaign, encourage your daughters, your friends and anyone you know to do so, too. In most cases, you won’t have cancer and, if you do, the earlier it’s caught, the simpler the treatment is likely to be and the greater your chances of making a full recovery.”
17:29
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The final item of business today is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-03421, in the name of Linda Fabiani, on October is breast cancer awareness month...
Linda Fabiani (East Kilbride) (SNP)
SNP
It is nice after the rambunctious debate that we have just had to know that we are going to speak about something on which there is consensus in the chamber....
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
As a number of members wish to speak, I would be grateful for speeches of four minutes or less.17:15
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate Linda Fabiani on securing the debate. I note that she and I are both in purple today. We should have perhaps have co-ordinated and been in pin...
Drew Smith (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Malcolm Chisholm did it, too.
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Forgive me, I almost forgot Malcolm Chisholm.It would be a great signal for MSPs to walk the walk. Many of us, both male and female, have donned our pink fea...
Aileen McLeod (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, congratulate Linda Fabiani on securing the debate on an issue of which many members will have personal experience—either themselves or through family...
Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, thank Linda Fabiani for securing this timely debate. The motion emphasises the importance of early detection in all cancer cases, and recognises that...
Dennis Robertson (Aberdeenshire West) (SNP)
SNP
I was privileged a few weeks ago to attend the Breakthrough Breast Cancer workshop. It was at that workshop, led by Ashley Donaldson—a champion for Breakthro...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
As a large number of members still wish to speak in the debate, I am minded to accept a motion under rule 8.14.3 to extend the debate for up to 30 minutes.Mo...
Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to take part in the debate and thank Linda Fabiani for securing it. She has given us the opportunity not only to discuss our experiences of brea...
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I am pleased to speak in this debate at the start of breast cancer awareness month and I congratulate Linda Fabiani on her motion, which highlights the impor...
Mary Fee (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I add my thanks to Linda Fabiani for securing today’s debate.Last week, I was one of thousands of people to join in the world’s biggest coffee morning in aid...
Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate Linda Fabiani on securing this important debate.We can celebrate the improvements that there have been in breast cancer survival rates. Twenty...
The Minister for Public Health (Michael Matheson)
SNP
I congratulate Linda Fabiani on securing time for this debate and I thank her for lodging a motion on an important issue that affects many women in Scotland—...