Hansard

I am grateful to Emma Harper and, of course, Christina McKelvie, for bringing the debate to the chamber and giving us the opportunity to discuss an important issue that touches every constituency, every community and, perhaps, every person in Scotland—certainly every person in the chamber.

It feels weird to speak for Christina because she never needed anyone to do that but, thankfully, this is an issue that she was consistent and clear on, so I have no need to make any assumptions when I say this. She was determined to help those around her, consistently encouraging women to check themselves regularly and, crucially, to attend all their screening appointments. A constituent of mine recently had a clash between an event and a breast screening, and she said to me, “I know which one Christina would have told me to go to.” Over and above those repeated calls to action, what sticks in my mind from our conversations was her fear of getting that diagnosis. From thoughtful poetry to a quick passing comment in the middle of dinner, it was always on her mind. I know that many people are living with that fear today and they need support with it.

The motion rightly commends the work of charities such as Make 2nds Count and Breast Cancer Now. I have engaged with Breast Cancer Now on a number of occasions, not only when it is in the Parliament offering us pink feather boas, hats and sunglasses at its photo booth but specifically on looking at what policy changes should be prioritised if we are to improve the diagnosis, treatment, support and awareness of secondary breast cancer. Its campaign to improve the collection of data on how many people are living with secondary breast cancer is absolutely necessary if we are to look at what more is needed in terms of resources, advice and support for those patients. I have also been grateful for its interest in looking at local situations and taking that approach of deep diving into what is happening in all health boards, including the five in my region, not just the national picture.

Those organisations provide a critical safety net of emotional, practical and social support that is vital for people who are living with an incurable diagnosis such as metastatic breast cancer.

I also want to mention Maggie’s Highlands. I have had the pleasure of visiting the charity’s premises next to Raigmore hospital and meeting the hard-working, passionate and friendly team, seeing for myself as I enjoyed a cup of coffee that folk of all ages were coming in and out, maybe following an appointment at the hospital, maybe because a loved one had just received news and maybe just because they were having a bad day. They were all welcomed to a safe space with a supportive environment and people.

That is particularly important when we consider that many of my constituents are travelling vast distances to get to the hospital and it is important for them to know that respite is waiting for them just to the side of the hospital building. Maggie’s helps to mitigate the isolation that is felt by patients who are often far from home when they receive difficult news. It offers a point of connection and a sense of community. Its services, including support groups and workshops on things such as managing stress and living with on-going cancer, are exactly what is needed to empower patients and help them to navigate the continuous nature of secondary breast cancer.