Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 03 October 2012
03 Oct 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Breast Cancer
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 Breakthrough Breast Cancer—that I realised the importance of TLC. TLC it is something that we can all accept and look towards, because it means different things to different people.
I applaud the courage and bravery of those who have shared their personal experiences this evening. Patricia Ferguson is absolutely right—statistics are people, and it is a shock to people when they are diagnosed. There is fear and anxiety. Breakthrough Breast Cancer encourages TLC at an early age for those who may not think that they will be affected by breast cancer and who are certainly outwith the age range for screening. If we can get young people to check regularly and do TLC in their teens, it will not be a problem for them when they are in their 40s, 50s, 60s and so on. It will be natural.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer encourages a routine. That is the way forward. It can be done when one has a shower or gets ready for bed. We are not asking for checks every day, but we are asking people to get into a routine and to be aware of changes. We are asking people to be more aware of their bodies.
Very few men suffer from breast cancer. In fact, the number in Scotland is about 0.6 per cent. The symptoms for men are not so different from those for women. There could be a hardening around the breast area or changes around the nipple. Often, though, breast cancer is painless, and most men would probably disregard it. Scottish men in particular would probably disregard it because they are not particularly good at going to the doctor anyway, with any condition. Perhaps we need to get over those barriers. We need to encourage people to be aware of their body and changes in their body.
I support the work of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and encourage those who can to become champions for the charity throughout Scotland, to take forward the TLC initiative and to help and encourage people to become aware, because becoming aware saves lives.
I applaud the courage and bravery of those who have shared their personal experiences this evening. Patricia Ferguson is absolutely right—statistics are people, and it is a shock to people when they are diagnosed. There is fear and anxiety. Breakthrough Breast Cancer encourages TLC at an early age for those who may not think that they will be affected by breast cancer and who are certainly outwith the age range for screening. If we can get young people to check regularly and do TLC in their teens, it will not be a problem for them when they are in their 40s, 50s, 60s and so on. It will be natural.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer encourages a routine. That is the way forward. It can be done when one has a shower or gets ready for bed. We are not asking for checks every day, but we are asking people to get into a routine and to be aware of changes. We are asking people to be more aware of their bodies.
Very few men suffer from breast cancer. In fact, the number in Scotland is about 0.6 per cent. The symptoms for men are not so different from those for women. There could be a hardening around the breast area or changes around the nipple. Often, though, breast cancer is painless, and most men would probably disregard it. Scottish men in particular would probably disregard it because they are not particularly good at going to the doctor anyway, with any condition. Perhaps we need to get over those barriers. We need to encourage people to be aware of their body and changes in their body.
I support the work of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and encourage those who can to become champions for the charity throughout Scotland, to take forward the TLC initiative and to help and encourage people to become aware, because becoming aware saves lives.
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—...