Charities Join Prime Minister To Send United Message On Breast Cancer

Cancer charities will today join Gordon Brown to highlight the lifesaving importance of breast cancer screening.

The NHS breast cancer screening programme currently diagnoses over 14,000 cases of breast cancer each year and saves around 1,400 lives every year. However in 2008 27% of women failed to take up their right to breast screening. Figures show that if all women took up their right to screening an extra 600 lives could 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 research 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 women to make the important decision to take up their right to breast screening."

Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK Harpal Kumar said:

“Screening saves lives, so it's extremely worrying to see that the percentage of women going for breast screening is dropping. Mammograms pick up the very early signs of breast cancer when it's much easier to treat and when treatment is usually successful. This trend must be reversed. If there were 100 per cent attendance at breast screening, hundreds more lives could be saved.”

Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Care Samia al Qadhi said:

“From our work around this issue we know that many women, particularly older women and those from black and minority ethnic communities, are less 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 women receive clear and consistent information on the risks, signs and symptoms of breast cancer and we have been delighted to work with the Department of Health in preparing these new key messages.”

Chief Executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer Jeremy Hughes said: “

“Breakthrough encourages anyone over 50 to attend NHS Breast Screening appointments as early diagnosis of breast cancer offers the best chance that treatment will be successful.

“It’s also vital that women are breast aware but we know there is confusion about how to check your breasts and what to look for. Breakthrough has developed a simple reminder to help women be breast aware: show your breasts some TLC – touch and look for any changes and check anything unusual with your doctor.”

Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Campaign Pamela Goldberg said: “

“We support the Government’s commitment to the NHS breast screening programme which we know is an important tool in the early detection of breast cancer. We now need to build on this success by encouraging all women, particularly those from difficult to reach communities, to attend their screening appointments as early diagnosis saves lives.”

“We welcome the recognition by the Government that research is crucial to beating breast cancer and remain committed to funding groundbreaking research.”

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 website to ensure women get clear advice.

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