MP says "This Invite Could Save Your Life"

12.59.32pm GMT Tue 28th Oct 2003

Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, has joined forces with the UK's leading breast cancer charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer to urge all women aged 50 and over in Richmond Park to attend their breast-screening appointments when invited.

Jenny is a leading member of the All-Party Group and has spoken at conferences on their behalf.

Breast cancer is now the UK's most common cancer with over 40,000 women diagnosed with the disease each year. Early detection and diagnosis are vital to improve a woman's chances of surviving breast cancer and screening is one of the most effective ways of ensuring this.

Around 9,500 cases of breast cancer are detected through screening each year and almost half of these are too small to be felt by hand. If it wasn't for screening, these cancers may not have been detected until at a much later stage.

The biggest known risk factor in developing breast cancer is age, with around 80 per cent of cases occurring in post-menopausal women aged 50 or over. But while routine screening invitations are sent to all women aged between 50 and 64 every three years, evidence suggests that not all women take advantage of this potentially life-saving service.

There may be many reasons why women do not attend their screening appointments and the All-Party Group on Breast Cancer is calling on the Government to conduct research to find out the possible reasons why.

Dr Jenny Tonge said: "It's a sobering thought that one in nine of women in the Richmond Park area will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. Two very dear friends of mine are undergoing treatment at present."

Everyone knows someone with breast cancer. The good news is that more women than ever are surviving breast cancer and this in part is down to the NHS breast screening programme. It's a vital and effective part of the UK's efforts to reduce the death toll from this devastating disease."

"It's important to note too that your risk of breast cancer does not stop after the age of 65 - women over this age are entitled to and can request, a routine screening appointment every three years. Your GP can arrange this for you."

ENDS

For further information please contact Jenny Tonge on pager number 07699 734071, Serena Hennessy on: 020 8332 7919 or Michele Cefai at Breakthrough Breast Cancer on 020 7557 6654.

Notes for Editors:

Breast cancer is the UK's most common cancer. Over 40,000 women and 300 men are diagnosed with the disease each year and around 13,000 women die from the disease annually.