Hansard

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.

I thank everyone who signed up to the motion and everyone who is here to take part in the debate, because October is breast cancer awareness month. We have to acknowledge the role that having a breast cancer awareness month plays in promoting the early detection of breast cancer and the work of all the cancer charities in raising that awareness. I thank Breakthrough Breast Cancer in particular for the help that it has given me for the debate and for its very memorable breast awareness message—touch, look, check—which promotes knowledge of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the importance of regular checking.

I know that many members want to speak, so I will just start by outlining a few facts about breast cancer in Scotland. It is the most common cancer among Scottish women, and nearly 4,500 women are diagnosed every year in Scotland—in 2010, 460 of those women were in the area covered by NHS Lanarkshire, where I live and work. Around 1,000 Scottish women die annually from the disease and Scottish women have a one in nine chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. I know that others will develop those particular themes, so I will concentrate on a few points.

I want to raise concern about breast awareness in the lower socioeconomic groups. Women in lower socioeconomic groups have poorer levels of breast cancer awareness compared with women in affluent groups. The 2011 survey that was carried out by Breakthrough Breast Cancer found that

“79% of women in group DE had knowledge of any sign/symptom of breast cancer compared to 93% of women”

in higher socioeconomic groups and

“only 47% of DE women checked their breasts once a month or more compared to 60% of women”

in socioeconomic group AB. That is an important point because, although breast cancer incidence is higher in affluent groups, women in more deprived groups have poorer outcomes and survival rates. Sometimes that is because they were diagnosed at a later stage; and sometimes it is because there can be an increased likelihood of there being other health problems. That means that it is important to improve levels of breast awareness. I know that Breakthrough Breast Cancer would like to see more focus on increasing breast awareness among those groups, combined with better public health messaging, so that people can improve their general health and improve their chances of a better outcome.

Another issue is older women. Over 80 per cent of breast cancers occur in women who are over 50. I know that there is a pilot going on in England on age extension from 47 to 63. I think, too, that the fact that age is the biggest risk factor for breast cancer makes it important that older women remain breast aware. Like Breakthrough Breast Cancer, I would like the national health service in Scotland to do more to focus on educating that age group about breast awareness.

That brings me to prevention. Some 80 per cent of breast cancers are not inherited. That figure surprised me very much. Although I had heard the other figures before, I realised, when I saw that one, that I suffered from what I believe to be a common misconception, which is that people are much more at risk if there is breast cancer in their family. Awareness must be raised about that figure of 80 per cent, which links into the breast awareness campaign.

Researchers estimate that around 40 per cent of all breast cancer cases could be prevented if women maintained a healthy weight, limited their alcohol intake and increased their level of physical activity. I am not going to say anything about anyone in here except me. I am not going to comment on my alcohol intake, but I certainly could increase my level of physical activity, and I do not think that my weight is particularly healthy. Again, that is a big issue.

If we can increase awareness of the fact that 80 per cent of breast cancers are not inherited and that 40 per cent could be prevented, that would be a worthwhile campaign. A 40 per cent reduction would be equivalent to around 1,800 fewer cases of the disease being diagnosed in Scotland each year, so we should try to make a big difference by changing behaviours around the risk factors that are modifiable.

That brings me to diagnosis—I am aware that time is short, and I am glad that others will expand on these themes. There is a view that some health professionals are not as breast aware as they should be. The evidence is anecdotal, but we are told that some general practitioners are less breast aware than the women who present to them. There is a case for GPs receiving better education on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, whether that is part of their medical training or part of engagement, in a continuing professional development capacity, with programmes such as the detect cancer early initiative. I know that many GPs are very involved with breast cancer charities, so I am not putting anyone down; I merely want to make it known that this issue is also important.

Some people believe that screening is not the best way to check for breast cancers. However, I believe that we should not allow that debate to put women off going for screening, as it is important. Further, we should ensure that women remain breast aware in between screenings.

I welcome the Breakthrough Breast Cancer initiative that has just produced a guide that contains the award-winning touch, look, check breast awareness message, which is available by texting “signs” to 84424. I should say that text users will be charged only their standard network rate and that no premium number charges apply. It is a very useful initiative. When the minister responds to some of my points and to those that others will make, I ask him to ensure that we maintain the detect cancer early campaign. It has been a big success and a great initiative, so we would like it to continue.