Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 03 October 2012
03 Oct 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Breast Cancer
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 breast cancer and highlight the challenges that people continue to face, but to thank the many people who work for breast cancer charities and organisations throughout Scotland.
There will be a person in our constituencies who, at this very moment, is worried about a lump or a change in their breast. They will be awash with anxiety but they will be reluctant to take that all-important step and make an appointment with their doctor. It is for that person that I welcome tonight’s debate. I understand that sense of trepidation, as I am sure we all do, but it is always better to know the truth than to live in fear and doubt, especially where one’s health is concerned. It is for that person, and for the many other people around the United Kingdom who are affected by breast cancer every day, that I welcome Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s touch, look, check campaign.
Like many others, I had the opportunity to attend a session with the Breakthrough team that recently visited the Parliament. I learned more about self-checking, particularly its importance in early diagnosis or simply as a means of alleviating doubt. The team does a fantastic job, and I hope that the crucial message that it promotes is beginning to reap rewards.
I was especially attentive to what the Breakthrough team said about self-checking, especially as I had thought that I had all the information that I needed. Since I was a teenage girl, I have been trained in what to look for and have carried out regular checks on myself. Only last Christmas, my sister and I received a self-examination glove and information DVD from our mum. That was not the gift that I had asked for, and members can imagine the look on my face when I opened the somewhat curious present, but I can honestly say that it is the most important present that I have ever received.
My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33. At the time, I was only 10 and did not realise how life-changing that diagnosis would be. I did not understand the magnitude of a double mastectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or reconstructive surgery; what I did understand was that it was a frightening experience that caused a lot of physical and emotional pain, not only to my mum, but to the rest of our family. Although that pain reduces over time, it never goes away.
It is because of that that I believe that we need to offer more counselling to families and, in particular, children during such a traumatic time. I know that counselling services have moved on in the past 18 years, but there is always room for improvement.
I also believe that we should make a concerted effort to increase awareness of male breast cancer. The incidence of breast cancer is far lower among men—around 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK and around 25 in Scotland—but, whatever the figure, more attention must be paid to the men who are potentially at risk. I have already alluded to my mum’s case and, as we have heard, many other members have had similar experiences, but I did not mention that her father—my grandfather—was also diagnosed with, and indeed died from, breast cancer. Therefore—believe me—when I say that we need to do more to increase awareness, I am talking from bitter experience.
My mother’s cancer is genetic, and although I realise that that is also rare, I know that my family is not alone. That is the message that we should be broadcasting to all those people who are affected by breast cancer: you are not alone. Help is always at hand. All you have to do is ask. That is the message of breast cancer awareness month, and it is why we must all keep supporting it.
17:37
There will be a person in our constituencies who, at this very moment, is worried about a lump or a change in their breast. They will be awash with anxiety but they will be reluctant to take that all-important step and make an appointment with their doctor. It is for that person that I welcome tonight’s debate. I understand that sense of trepidation, as I am sure we all do, but it is always better to know the truth than to live in fear and doubt, especially where one’s health is concerned. It is for that person, and for the many other people around the United Kingdom who are affected by breast cancer every day, that I welcome Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s touch, look, check campaign.
Like many others, I had the opportunity to attend a session with the Breakthrough team that recently visited the Parliament. I learned more about self-checking, particularly its importance in early diagnosis or simply as a means of alleviating doubt. The team does a fantastic job, and I hope that the crucial message that it promotes is beginning to reap rewards.
I was especially attentive to what the Breakthrough team said about self-checking, especially as I had thought that I had all the information that I needed. Since I was a teenage girl, I have been trained in what to look for and have carried out regular checks on myself. Only last Christmas, my sister and I received a self-examination glove and information DVD from our mum. That was not the gift that I had asked for, and members can imagine the look on my face when I opened the somewhat curious present, but I can honestly say that it is the most important present that I have ever received.
My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33. At the time, I was only 10 and did not realise how life-changing that diagnosis would be. I did not understand the magnitude of a double mastectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or reconstructive surgery; what I did understand was that it was a frightening experience that caused a lot of physical and emotional pain, not only to my mum, but to the rest of our family. Although that pain reduces over time, it never goes away.
It is because of that that I believe that we need to offer more counselling to families and, in particular, children during such a traumatic time. I know that counselling services have moved on in the past 18 years, but there is always room for improvement.
I also believe that we should make a concerted effort to increase awareness of male breast cancer. The incidence of breast cancer is far lower among men—around 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK and around 25 in Scotland—but, whatever the figure, more attention must be paid to the men who are potentially at risk. I have already alluded to my mum’s case and, as we have heard, many other members have had similar experiences, but I did not mention that her father—my grandfather—was also diagnosed with, and indeed died from, breast cancer. Therefore—believe me—when I say that we need to do more to increase awareness, I am talking from bitter experience.
My mother’s cancer is genetic, and although I realise that that is also rare, I know that my family is not alone. That is the message that we should be broadcasting to all those people who are affected by breast cancer: you are not alone. Help is always at hand. All you have to do is ask. That is the message of breast cancer awareness month, and it is why we must all keep supporting it.
17:37
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—...