BREAKTHROUGH BREAST CANCER AND BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

That this House recognises that breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with nearly 46,000 women diagnosed with the disease each year; accepts that although the number of breast cancer deaths in the UK has decreased considerably in recent years, survival rates still lag behind some other European countries; notes that there is evidence that being breast aware - knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the importance of early presentation - and regularly attending NHS breast screening appointments are two of the three most influential factors on breast cancer survival in the UK, the third being improved treatments; acknowledges that breast screening is a vital part of early diagnosis, with an estimated 1,400 lives saved in England each year thanks to the NHS breast screening programme; further notes that currently invitations for NHS breast screening are sent to women aged 50 to 70 years every three years, and that beyond this age women are still entitled to free breast screening but need to make their own appointments; and supports Breakthrough Breast Cancer's call for GPs to encourage all women to be breast aware, remind women over 50 years to attend their breast screening appointments and make their older patients aware that they can still attend breast screening.