Patron His Majesty King Charles III

Woking MP Will Forster (2nd right) with Walk the Walk CEO David Wright at the Westminster drop-in event

UK cancer charity Walk the Walk met MPs from across parties at Westminster yesterday (Weds 21 Oct) to call on the Government to lower the NHS breast screening age from 50 to 40. The charity is also campaigning for greater awareness amongst women over 71 that they can still attend screening.

The parliamentary drop-in event, held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), was hosted by Woking MP Will Forster. It is the second time Walk the Walk has taken its breast screening campaign to Westminster this year, following a World Cancer Day drop-in in February.

Parliamentarians attending the latest drop-in, spoke with the Walk the Walk team, including the charity’s CEO David Wright.

Will Forster, MP for Woking, where Walk the Walk is based said:

“Walk the Walk has an outstanding record of supporting vital cancer care and research and I was delighted to host them in Parliament for an event marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It provided a valuable opportunity for parliamentarians to hear more about the charity’s work and its efforts to promote health and fitness as part of reducing cancer risk, as well as their campaign to lower the starting age for breast screening to 40.

“It is vital that charities have opportunities to engage directly with policymakers. Bringing together organisations delivering vital services on the ground with MPs and Peers helps ensure that decision-makers understand the challenges charities face and the support they need.

“I think Walk the Walk may even have persuaded a few MPs to sign up for next year’s iconic overnight MoonWalk London! I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for a rewarding challenge, while supporting a fantastic cause.”

David Wright, CEO of Walk the Walk, said:

“It was a privilege to hear from MPs from across the political spectrum, and I’m grateful to Walk the Walk’s local MP Will Forster for hosting us. The main message from the room is that people want to see change. In terms of lowering the age for breast screening, 23 women a day are being diagnosed with breast cancer in their 40s, and many people don’t feel confident checking themselves. The government must act now, and we stand ready to help make change happen, which will save lives.

“I was particularly encouraged by the level of engagement and genuine interest shown by MPs, irrespective of their political affiliations or motivations. Cancer is not political, and neither is the solution. The cross-party commitment demonstrated by MPs was a testament to this shared understanding. As we all agreed, opposing political parties must not be viewed as competitors in this fight; our real competition is cancer itself. I hope to build on the positive momentum with many of the MPs who attended, through Walk and Talks in their constituencies, and at The MoonWalk 2027”

New figures released recently have reinforced Walk the Walk’s case for lowering the breast screening age.

  • Analysis by the World Cancer Research Fund (Oct 2026) shows that 8,507 women under 50 were diagnosed with breast cancer in England in 2023, up from 6,886 in 2001
  • A Walk the Walk survey (Sept 2026) found that 90% of respondents backed lowering the screening age from 50 to 40, and 85% do not feel confident checking their breasts or chest.

Walk the Walk also used the drop-in event to highlight to MPs its recent appointment of chemotherapy nurse Gemma Reeves as its new Clinical Ambassador. Earlier this year, Gemma’s petition to lower the screening age to 40 gained more than 106,000 signatures, leading to a Westminster Hall debate and cross-party support.

Yesterday’s event comes ahead of the first findings from the AgeX trial, which are due in December 2026. The trial is looking at the impact of extending screening to younger and older age groups. Walk the Walk is urging MPs and Ministers not to wait for the first the AgeX results before taking further action, but to have a plan in place to act on the results immediately.

Walk the Walk’s policy asks

1. Widen access to breast screening

  • Lower the starting age for routine screening to 40
  • Make sure people over 71 are clearly told they can still access screening on request.
  • Speed up better detection for dense breast tissue
  • Act now on inequality in breast screening uptake
  • Empower primary care teams to promote breast self-checking as part of routine health conversations.

2. Update cancer prevention education in schools

Modern, evidence-based cancer prevention messages should be embedded and made mandatory in the school curriculum, helping young people build habits that reduce their risk.

3. Recognise walking for cancer prevention and recovery

Walk the Walk is calling for stronger national investment and clearer guidance so that walking is built into cancer care pathways.

Ends

Download images of Walk the Walk’s Parliamentary drop-in event at Westminster for Breast Cancer Awareness Month here.

Captions:-

  • Image 1 Woking MP Will Forster (2nd right) with Walk the Walk CEO David Wright. Will and David are holding the “War of the Worlds” bra, created by sculptor Michael Condron, and inspired by Condron’s “Martian” sculpture in Woking.
  • Image 2 Walk the Walk staff ahead of the Westminster drop-in event
  • Image 3 East Thanet MP Polly Billington with Walk the Walk CEO David Wright
  • Image 4 Wokingham MP Clive Jones (right), who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, with Walk the Walk CEO David Wright
  • Image 5 Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi (centre) with Walk the Walk CEO David Wright
  • Image 6 Ellesmere Port and Bromborough MP Justin Madders (left) with Walk the Walk CEO David Wright

Notes to editors

For more information about Walk the Walk, please contact:

About Walk the Walk

  • Walk the Walk is a cancer charity, which exists to inspire and empower people to live healthier lives, help reduce their risk of cancer and take positive action, through being active, embracing healthier lifestyles and furthering research
  • The charity also supports those affected by cancer and is targeting a future where people live healthier lives, fewer face cancer and no one goes through it alone
  • Since 1996, Walk the Walk has raised more than £148 million, through walking challenges and treks, ranging from 5k to 100 miles and more
  • It is best known as organiser of the overnight MoonWalk fundraising events, including its flagship, The MoonWalk London
  • The MoonWalk is a challenge which anyone can take on, whatever their fitness level, experience or circumstances.
  • Walkers taking part in these events wear Walk the Walk’s statement decorated bras or brightly coloured bra t-shirts

The MoonWalk London 2027

  • Entries are now open for The MoonWalk London 2027 at www.walkthewalk.org
  • Saturday 15 May 2027, 8pm – Sunday 16 May 2027, 1pm
  • Starts and finishes at Clapham Common, London
  • Walking distances available: New for 2027 – 10 miles. Plus regular favourites 26.2 miles, 15.1 miles and 10k