Meeting of the Parliament 11 November 2025
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-19043, in the name of Emma Harper, on supporting people living with secondary breast cancer in Scotland. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament recognises that October 2025 is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; welcomes the raising of awareness of secondary (metastatic) breast cancer, which, it understands, is an incurable disease that affects an estimated 61,000 people across the UK, including around 4,000 in Scotland; acknowledges that this condition occurs when cancer cells spread from the breast to other parts of the body; understands that it is one of the leading causes of death among women under 50 in the UK; believes with concern that many people are unaware of the condition and its symptoms, and that misconceptions persist around its nature and terminology; understands that Public Health Scotland does not currently collect comprehensive data on metastatic cancer, particularly in cases where it is a recurrence of primary breast cancer; notes commitments made in the Scottish Government’s 2016 strategy, Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action, and the 2023-2026 Cancer Action Plan, to progress data collection; further notes calls from charities such as Make 2nds Count and Breast Cancer Now for improved national data collection, better access to specialist care and increased investment in research and support services; commends the work of these organisations in supporting patients and families, raising awareness and advocating for change, and notes requests for the Scottish Government to ensure that the commitment to improve data collection on metastatic cancers is fulfilled by March 2026, and that people living with the condition are better supported, counted and empowered.
17:23Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.