Jamie McGrigor supports breast cancer TLC campaign

Jamie McGrigor, MSP for Highlands & Islands, has joined forces with breast cancer charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer to help increase breast cancer awareness in the Highlands & Islands region by taking part in the charity’s Touch Look Check campaign.

Touch Look Check (or TLC) is Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s breast awareness message and encourages women to Touch, Look and Check their breast’s regularly. A survey recently undertaken by the charity showed that only half of women in Scotland regularly checked their breasts.

Jamie McGrigor MSP says: ‘Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Scotland with over 4000 women diagnosed every year. Each year around 1000 women die from breast cancer in Scotland.

‘An early diagnosis of breast cancer can help save lives. This is why I am pleased to help spread Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Touch, Look, Check message to my constituents across the Highlands & Islands via my office, website, local press, and social media. Breakthrough Breast Cancer are to be commended for their campaign.’

Audrey Birt, Director of Breakthrough Breast Cancer in Scotland, says: ‘While more women are surviving breast cancer it is vital that women stay breast aware. Our message is as simple as TLC – Touch, Look, Check. Do this by regularly touching, looking for changes and checking anything unusual with your doctor and attending breast screening if you are over 50, as these are the best ways to identify breast cancer early. If you find any unusual changes or are worried by anything, you should talk to your GP straight away.

‘I am delighted that Jamie McGrigor MSP is helping to spread this important message.’

Breast Cancer: Facts & Figures

• Over 4,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Scotland.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Scotland. It accounts for nearly 1 in 3 of all cancers in women.
• Around 1,000 women die of breast cancer every year in Scotland.
• Around 20 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Scotland.
• It is estimated that 17 out of 20 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Scotland will survive for at least five years.
• The most recent estimate suggests around 1 in 100 women in Scotland have had a diagnosis of breast cancer at some point in their lifetime.
• Over 80% of breast cancer occurs in women over 50 years of age.
• More women than ever before are surviving breast cancer thanks to better awareness, treatments and screening.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a pioneering UK charity committed to fighting breast cancer through research, campaigning and education. In January 2009, Breakthrough Breast Cancer in Scotland is based in Thistle Street, Edinburgh.  Telephone 0131 226 0763 or email scotlandinfo@breakthrough.org.uk  or visit www.breakthrough.org.uk/scotland