Hansard

I am grateful to my colleague Emma Harper for securing this incredibly important debate. I also thank those who have joined us tonight in the public gallery for their support. It is very much appreciated.

Last month, I spoke in my colleague Clare Adamson’s debate for breast cancer awareness month. In my speech, I called for more to be done to beat secondary breast cancer, for which there is currently no cure. As I mentioned, approximately 1,000 women in the UK die each month due to secondary breast cancer, with an estimated 4,000 people in Scotland impacted by it. I agree with Breast Cancer Now that this is a matter of urgency and that we must dramatically improve outcomes for those whose cancer has spread.

Of course, it would be remiss of me to speak today without mentioning my dear colleague Christina McKelvie, who we sadly lost to metastatic breast cancer. Christina was strong and passionate about tackling inequality and injustice. After seeing her battle, we must all strive for greater awareness and for more effective research for those affected by this cruel disease. We cannot accept anyone else losing their life to breast cancer.

I recently met one of my constituents, who is a breast cancer nurse, to discuss breast cancer awareness and to push for more to be done. During our discussion, my constituent urged me to call for better data collection for those who live with incurable secondary breast cancer. As noted by Breast Cancer Now, without proper data, thousands of people are missing from and not counted in statistics, not planned for by NHS Scotland and not guaranteed to get the treatment and care that they need. That is crucial—without the data, we will always be limited in how we can improve things. According to Breast Cancer Now, by not counting them, we leave people with secondary breast cancer feeling that they just do not count.

Breast Cancer Now is joined by Make 2nds Count in calling for improved national data collection, better access to specialist care and increased investment in research and support services. I thank both groups for their work to support patients and families in pushing for change. I back their calls for the Scottish Government to ensure that it fulfils its commitment to improve data collection on metastatic cancers, given that breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women under 50. It is vital that we do everything that we can to beat the disease, and that includes collecting the data that is needed.

It is also essential that those who are impacted have good access to clinical trials. Research that was carried out by Make 2nds Count and Professor Janet Dunn, head of cancer trials at Warwick clinical trials unit, found that the majority of secondary breast cancer patients have never had a conversation with their clinician about clinical trials. However, the metastatic and secondary breast cancer survey also demonstrated that patients are keen to be involved in research but face barriers to inclusion. Therefore, it is welcome to note that, following that research, Make 2nds Count launched a UK clinical trial registry, which is a one-stop shop for trials that are suitable for breast cancer patients.

My sincere thanks go again to Breast Cancer Now and Make 2nds Count for all their outstanding work, and to my constituent for taking the time to meet me and to explain the importance of collecting data for secondary breast cancer.

In memory of those we have lost too soon, we must continue to work together and strive to improve outcomes and survival rates for those living with metastatic breast cancer.