Stevenson Highlights Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has highlighted the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month taking place in October.

Commenting on the awareness month, Mr Stevenson said:

“Breast cancer is a malignant tumour in the breast where the malignant cancer attacks the tissue in which it started and can spread to other parts of the body. The good news is that nine times out of ten, lumps in the breast aren't cancerous. However, it's always best to check any lumps or changes in your breasts with your doctor - sooner rather than later.

“It is vital to stress the importance of self-examination, especially when you view the statistic that breast cancer is the second biggest cause of death from cancer in women in the UK and that early detection of breast cancer can in some cases increase survival rates to 90 per cent. Age is possibly the biggest single risk factor in breast cancer: women over 50 are particularly at risk. It's by no means unheard of for women under this age to have breast cancer, but it is less likely. Finally, we mustn’t forget the fact that men also can develop breast cancer.

“Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual national health campaign organised by the major breast cancer and cancer charities to increase awareness of the disease, raise funds for research into its cause, prevention and cure, and offer vital information and support to those affected by it. The importance of early detection cannot be stressed enough with early detection increasing survival rates to 90%.

“For those wishing to find out more, Breast Cancer Care is a national charity that offers information and support to people affected by breast cancer and their family and friends and can be contacted on their free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 6000 or via their website: www.breastcancercare.org.uk.”