Chamber
Plenary, 30 Sep 2009
30 Sep 2009 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
I could not agree more, having had my own wee lump after trying HRT. However, that is another story. Some ladies in the chamber will probably know aspects of the problem from their experience.
Prevention is the big thing that we should be thinking about, and we could also think about lymphoedema services. There is now a lymphoedema nurse and, unfortunately, I have to use the service in Lothian, but I cannot speak too highly of it. There could be many more pilot schemes, and much more research could be done to discover the benefits of manual drainage. I am talking about the sort of thing that can be done by a helping carer or partner. Self-management would be involved, and people who have had cancer know that being on top of it and helping to manage it for themselves helps their general health and wellbeing. I urge the Government to consider more research on chemical imbalances and the environmental factors that may affect breast cancer, and to extend further the lymphoedema nurse service.
I again thank Rhona Brankin for lodging the motion.
Prevention is the big thing that we should be thinking about, and we could also think about lymphoedema services. There is now a lymphoedema nurse and, unfortunately, I have to use the service in Lothian, but I cannot speak too highly of it. There could be many more pilot schemes, and much more research could be done to discover the benefits of manual drainage. I am talking about the sort of thing that can be done by a helping carer or partner. Self-management would be involved, and people who have had cancer know that being on top of it and helping to manage it for themselves helps their general health and wellbeing. I urge the Government to consider more research on chemical imbalances and the environmental factors that may affect breast cancer, and to extend further the lymphoedema nurse service.
I again thank Rhona Brankin for lodging the motion.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S3M-4493, in the name of Rhona Brankin, on breast cancer awareness month.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes with concern the increasing incidence of breast cancer in the NHS Lothian area, with nearly 3,000 women diagnosed between 2002 and ...
Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab):
Lab
I thank the members who have taken the time to attend and to participate in this debate on a hugely important issue. I begin by remembering Margaret Ewing, t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
I ask visitors in the gallery not to applaud.
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate Rhona Brankin on bringing the debate to the chamber and I echo her fond recollections of my colleague Margaret Ewing. I do not wish to embarra...
Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab):
Lab
I, too, congratulate Rhona Brankin on securing this important debate. Like her, I am fondly remembering Margaret Ewing on this occasion. First, I must apolog...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I thank and commend Rhona Brankin for securing the debate. It has, after all, been six years since Parliament last debated the issue. I also join the tribute...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
The member should wind up.
Mary Scanlon:
Con
Scotland does not fare well on survival rates for breast cancer. We have lower rates than England, Wales, Northern Ireland and almost every other country tha...
Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD):
LD
I welcome the opportunity to speak, and I thank Rhona Brankin for securing the debate. Given her experience of breast cancer, there is no more inspirational ...
Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind):
Ind
I, too, thank Rhona Brankin for bringing the issue to the Parliament for debate.I state an interest as the patron of the Scottish Breast Cancer Campaign for ...
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
Does the member agree that we also need to look at the link between breast cancer and commonly used drugs in hormone replacement therapy?
Margo MacDonald:
Ind
I could not agree more, having had my own wee lump after trying HRT. However, that is another story. Some ladies in the chamber will probably know aspects of...
Angela Constance (Livingston) (SNP):
SNP
I, too, commend Rhona Brankin for and congratulate her on securing the debate.It appears to me that campaigns to raise awareness of breast cancer or to impro...
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab):
Lab
I join other members in thanking Rhona Brankin for securing this important debate, in the 21st year of the NHS breast screening service. I remember Professor...
The Minister for Public Health and Sport (Shona Robison):
SNP
I welcome the debate and thank Rhona Brankin for bringing it to the chamber. I thank the member and others for their kind comments about Margaret Ewing. We r...
Mary Scanlon:
Con
I take the point that the minister made on waiting times. We are talking about the waiting time from referral to treatment. Will she confirm that treatment w...
Shona Robison:
SNP
As Richard Simpson said, the SIGN guidelines for breast cancer recommend the immediate offer of breast reconstruction to all appropriate patients, but we are...
Meeting closed at 17:52.