Charities Join Prime Minister To Send United Message On Breast Cancer, UK
October 27, 2011
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Healthcare Prof:
Cancer charities will today join Gordon Brown to highlight the lifesaving importance of breast cancer screening.
The NHS breast cancer screening programme at present diagnoses more than 14,000 cases of breast cancer every year and saves around 1,400 lives every year. Even so in 2008 27% of ladies failed to take up their right to breast screening. Figures show that if all females took up their right to screening an extra 600 lives might be saved.
Speaking before a reception at Downing Street to mark Breast Cancer Awareness, the Prime Minister said:
“Through early diagnosis, early treatment and our historic investment in analysis for cures we want to transform cancer care in Britain so that we beat the disease in this generation.
“That is why we have already extended our breast screening programme to a broader age group and that is why today, together with all the breast cancer charities, I am calling for all females to create the important choice to take up their right to breast screening.”
Chief Executive of Cancer Analysis UK Harpal Kumar said:
“Screening saves lives, so it’s extremely worrying to see that the percentage of females going for breast screening is dropping. Mammograms pick up the quite early signs of breast cancer when it’s significantly easier to treat and when treatment is usually successful. This trend need to be reversed. If there were 100 per cent attendance at breast screening, hundreds far more lives might be saved.”
Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Care Samia al Qadhi said:
“From our work around this issue we know that a lot of females, particularly older women and those from black and minority ethnic communities, are less most likely to be aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
“The importance of early detection, either by reporting a symptom to your GP or through the screening process, can not be underestimated.
“It is vital that girls obtain clear and consistent info on the risks, signs and symptoms of breast cancer and we have been delighted to work using the Department of Wellness in preparing these new key messages.”
Chief Executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer Jeremy Hughes said: “
“Breakthrough encourages anyone more than 50 to attend NHS Breast Screening appointments as early diagnosis of breast cancer provides the best chance that therapy will be successful.
“It’s also vital that women are breast aware but we know there’s confusion about how you can check your breasts and what to appear for. Breakthrough has developed a simple reminder to assist females be breast aware: show your breasts some TLC – touch and appear for any changes and check anything unusual with your doctor.”
Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Campaign Pamela Goldberg stated: “
“We support the Government’s commitment towards the NHS breast screening programme which we know is an crucial tool in the early detection of breast cancer. We now should build on this success by encouraging all girls, particularly those from hard to reach communities, to attend their screening appointments as early diagnosis saves lives.”
“We welcome the recognition by the Government that study is crucial to beating breast cancer and remain committed to funding groundbreaking study.”
Also today, a single set of key messages on breast cancer, agreed by cancer charities, NHS staff and patient groups are also published today on the NHS Choices web site to ensure females get clear advice.
Source
Department of Health
Filed under: French Village