Hansard

I am delighted to speak in support of the motion recognising Breast Cancer Now awareness day 2025, which takes place on 24 October, and I thank all those members of the Parliament who supported the motion and allowed it to come to the chamber today. I am also delighted to welcome Kira McDiarmid and Jen Hardy from Breast Cancer Now, who are with us in the gallery today. It is wonderful to have them here to mark this important occasion and to enable us to recognise the vital work that they and their colleagues do every day, including in this Parliament. [Applause.]

This day is not just a date in the calendar; it is a day of solidarity, hope and determination in the face of one of the most common and devastating diseases that affect people across Scotland, the United Kingdom and the world.

We commend the vital and tireless work of Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s leading breast cancer research and support charity. Its vision is bold but essential. It is that, by 2050, everyone who is diagnosed with breast cancer will live and be supported to live well. That is not just a mission statement; it is a call to action for all of us—policy makers, researchers, healthcare workers and communities alike. That work matters because breast cancer affects one in seven women in the UK during their lifetime. My sister started her journey in January this year. The issue also matters to men, who often have less awareness of the condition and receive less support after diagnosis, and it matters to the families and friends who work alongside people through diagnosis, treatment, recovery and loss.

One of the most important and powerful initiatives on breast cancer is the wear it pink campaign. Since 2002, it has raised more than £39 million for breast cancer research and care. Each October, people across Scotland and the UK, in schools, workplaces and homes, wear it pink to fundraise and show their support. Many of my colleagues did that last week—I ask that they bring the feather boas back.

In Scotland alone, the wear it pink campaign has raised more than £2.5 million in the past five years. That is an extraordinary contribution, and it shows what can be achieved when people come together with hope and determination. Wear it pink is a simple act, but it sends the powerful message that we are united in this fight. I encourage everyone in the chamber and beyond to get involved. Whether people hold a bake sale or a dress-up day or simply make a donation, every action counts. It is one day, one colour and one powerful message.

Breast cancer affects people in Scotland and across the UK, and it is also a reality that millions more face around the world. Around 4,700 people in Scotland are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, which is more than 12 people every day. Around 25 of those diagnosed each year are men. Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer, with more than 2.3 million people diagnosed each year, and it leads to more than 685,000 reported deaths worldwide according to the World Health Organization.

Those figures represent far more than numbers; they reflect the lives of families, friends, colleagues and communities who are impacted by breast cancer every single day. They remind us why our gathering to wear it pink in the Parliament is so important. We came together in the garden lobby and the Burns room of the Parliament last week to wear it pink and show solidarity with Breast Cancer Now. It was wonderful to speak to survivors about their journey. The sense of unity among members, advocates, patients and families standing side by side demonstrates the strength of the campaign and the determination behind it.

We have made progress. Thanks to investment in research and early detection, the five-year survival rate is now over 85 per cent.

We can be proud of that, but it is not the full picture. For those living with secondary breast cancer, where the cancer has spread and is no longer curable, the outlook is still deeply concerning. It is estimated that more than 1,000 people in Scotland die of breast cancer each year—many of them from secondary cancer. Those patients often do not have the benefit of the same level of visibility, data collection or specialised care as those with primary breast cancer, and that is something that we can change. We must shine a stronger light on secondary breast cancer. That means better data collection, quicker and more accurate diagnosis, increased opportunities for clinical trials and wider access to specialist support. Although a cure may not yet be within reach, people living with incurable cancer deserve time, dignity and the best possible quality of life.

This year’s awareness day also gives us a moment to remember someone whom many of us knew, loved and respected—Christina McKelvie MSP. Christina was more than a colleague; she was a friend to all and a passionate advocate for equality, dignity and justice. She was someone who consistently fought for those who needed a voice and for those who found themselves marginalised, disadvantaged and often overlooked. Her voice in this chamber was powerful, and her absence is deeply felt. We honour her legacy by continuing the work that she believed in so strongly.

Breast cancer affects every part of our society, across every postcode and background. It impacts women and men and families. It does not discriminate, and neither should our efforts to fight it. Let us use Breast Cancer Now awareness day not only to raise funds and wear it pink, but to push forward with purpose. Let us continue to invest in research, ensure equal access to care and raise awareness for those who are still fighting and those who are living with secondary cancer. [Applause.]