Chamber
Plenary, 30 Sep 2009
30 Sep 2009 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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 improve services for women are often led and championed by women. That is how things should be, of course, although the support of our male counterparts, whether they are doctors, researchers, campaigners or loved ones, is no less valuable. We must not forget that, although the number is comparatively small, men suffer from breast cancer too, as Christine Grahame intimated.
I welcome the high visibility and profile of the women's health campaign that we are discussing, but it leads me to reflect that there is perhaps more need for more men's health campaigns to be led by men in a way that has resonance for them. Many people enjoy the fun in the breast cancer wear it pink campaign, but different approaches may be needed for prostate or testicular cancer. I should not generalise too much about men and women: I mistakenly read "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" and found that, with my tendency to offer solutions at the expense of really listening to the problem, I am more akin to a man.
A constituent asked me to participate in this debate. She wrote to me to describe the tragic loss of her mother, who was only 56 when she died as a result of secondary cancer, after developing breast cancer for the second time. In her letter, she said that she has a teenage daughter and two young nieces, and that she wants them to have a future
"without the curse of breast cancer".
My constituent wants to know from the Government what it is doing to increase awareness of breast cancer, especially given the findings of the recent survey by Breakthrough Breast Cancer indicating that awareness is alarmingly low. We have already heard about some of the survey's alarming findings—one in six women are unable to name one sign or symptom of breast cancer. My constituent would also like to know what plan the Government has to ensure that more women participate in the breast screening programme. Around 30 per cent of women in Scotland do not attend screening, which is vital if they are to get the early diagnosis that will improve treatment outcomes. My constituent spoke of the importance of screening for her mother. I would be interested to know how the Government intends to reach harder-to-reach groups.
I thank Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Scottish Breast Cancer Campaign for their briefings. I am sure that the authors of both documents will understand when I say that my copies are now looking a wee bit worse for wear, as my two-year-old son was also keenly reading them last night. Thankfully, he did not scribble over them—he usually saves that for correspondence from a cabinet secretary. Both briefings were not only informative but focused on how we can best prevent and, most important, beat breast cancer. Ultimately, the message was one of hope and aspiration.
It appears to me that campaigns to raise awareness of breast cancer or to improve services for women are often led and championed by women. That is how things should be, of course, although the support of our male counterparts, whether they are doctors, researchers, campaigners or loved ones, is no less valuable. We must not forget that, although the number is comparatively small, men suffer from breast cancer too, as Christine Grahame intimated.
I welcome the high visibility and profile of the women's health campaign that we are discussing, but it leads me to reflect that there is perhaps more need for more men's health campaigns to be led by men in a way that has resonance for them. Many people enjoy the fun in the breast cancer wear it pink campaign, but different approaches may be needed for prostate or testicular cancer. I should not generalise too much about men and women: I mistakenly read "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" and found that, with my tendency to offer solutions at the expense of really listening to the problem, I am more akin to a man.
A constituent asked me to participate in this debate. She wrote to me to describe the tragic loss of her mother, who was only 56 when she died as a result of secondary cancer, after developing breast cancer for the second time. In her letter, she said that she has a teenage daughter and two young nieces, and that she wants them to have a future
"without the curse of breast cancer".
My constituent wants to know from the Government what it is doing to increase awareness of breast cancer, especially given the findings of the recent survey by Breakthrough Breast Cancer indicating that awareness is alarmingly low. We have already heard about some of the survey's alarming findings—one in six women are unable to name one sign or symptom of breast cancer. My constituent would also like to know what plan the Government has to ensure that more women participate in the breast screening programme. Around 30 per cent of women in Scotland do not attend screening, which is vital if they are to get the early diagnosis that will improve treatment outcomes. My constituent spoke of the importance of screening for her mother. I would be interested to know how the Government intends to reach harder-to-reach groups.
I thank Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Scottish Breast Cancer Campaign for their briefings. I am sure that the authors of both documents will understand when I say that my copies are now looking a wee bit worse for wear, as my two-year-old son was also keenly reading them last night. Thankfully, he did not scribble over them—he usually saves that for correspondence from a cabinet secretary. Both briefings were not only informative but focused on how we can best prevent and, most important, beat breast cancer. Ultimately, the message was one of hope and aspiration.
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.