MP joins national campaign to raise breast cancer awareness

31.10.02

Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton, is backing a national campaign to raise "breast awareness for life".

Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a charity committed to fighting breast cancer through research and awareness and they are campaigning particularly hard this month, calling October "Breast Cancer Awareness Month." Edward Davey has joined MPs from all parties who are wearing a pink ribbon and using their local media to assist this important campaign. Mr Davey believes increasing awareness is particularly important following recent debate over the value of breast self-examination, which may have led to confusion or anxiety amongst women.

Commenting, Edward Davey MP said:

"The charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer stress that more women must become "breast aware" - meaning taking the trouble to check their breasts for lumps. Whilst nine out of ten lumps are not cancerous, the more aware women are of unusual changes the more likely they are to detect cancer at an early stage when it can be stopped.

"As well as being aware, making sure that over 50s take advantage of the NHS Breast Screening Programme is also important. Hopefully this campaign will highlight the issue for more women.

"Like many people I have had close family and friends who have suffered from breast cancer. Yet I've noticed even within the small sample of people I know how much more effective the treatment has become in recent years. Yet the key is to detect the growths early.