Cancer charity Walk the Walk is welcoming a Westminster Hall debate on breast screening, taking place on Monday 29th June. Walk the Walk is urging MPs from all parties to attend and support the discussion around extending the NHS breast screening programme to help improve the early detection of breast cancer.
The debate has been triggered following a petition launched by chemotherapy nurse Gemma Reeves. With over 100,000 signatures, it has secured Parliamentary time for consideration of whether routine breast screening should begin at age 40 and take place annually.
Walk the Walk has spent almost three decades campaigning to improve outcomes for people affected by breast and other cancers through research, prevention, education, awareness and support. The charity believes the parliamentary debate secured by Gemma Reeves on Monday 29th June presents an important opportunity to examine whether current breast screening programmes are meeting the needs of today’s population
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK, affecting both women and men. While the NHS Breast Screening Programme currently invites women aged 50 to 70 for routine mammograms every three years, thousands of cases are diagnosed outside this age range each year.
Campaigning
Walk the Walk has made the expansion of breast screening one of its key campaigning priorities. Earlier this year, on World Cancer Day, the charity hosted a Parliamentary drop-in event highlighting three areas where action could help improve cancer outcomes:
• Extending access to routine breast screening and mammograms
• Updating cancer prevention education in schools
• Accelerating the promotion of walking for cancer prevention, treatment and recovery
Walk the Walk is encouraging MPs to attend the Westminster Hall debate and engage with the discussion around how breast screening programmes can continue to evolve alongside advances in cancer detection, treatment and prevention.
Founder of Walk the Walk, Nina Barough CBE, said:
We know that early detection of breast cancer saves lives. The earlier it is diagnosed, the greater the chance of successful treatment and improved outcomes.
This debate is an important opportunity for Parliament to consider whether current breast screening programmes are not only doing enough to identify cancers at the earliest possible stage but are as inclusive as they should be. A robust breast screening programme for those between the ages of 50 and 70 has already proved to be successful, However, with breast cancer cases increasing in those below 50, there is no screening at all for this age group and we feel that this really needs urgent attention.
We welcome any discussion that explores how younger people under the age of 50 could benefit from earlier detection and greater awareness. For almost 30 years, Walk the Walk has been campaigning to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer through prevention, education, awareness and support. We believe everyone deserves the best possible chance of being diagnosed sooner, when treatment is often less invasive and more effective.
As the organiser of The MoonWalk London and other walking challenges across the UK, Walk the Walk has raised more than £148 million for cancer causes while helping thousands of people understand the importance of early detection, healthy lifestyles and regular physical activity.
For more information about Walk the Walk, visit www.walkthewalk.org.
Petition organiser, chemotherapy nurse Gemma Reeves (left)
ENDS
For more information, contact Walk the Walk
- Jennifer Broh 07974 107999 [email protected]
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Walk the Walk
Walk the Walk is a cancer charity, which is passionate about encouraging women and men to become more aware of their potential for their own well-being by becoming fitter and healthier.
The charity is best known as the organiser of its flagship overnight MoonWalk fundraising events.
Walkers taking part in these events wear the charity’s statement decorated bras or brightly coloured bra t-shirts, to raise awareness and funds for cancer prevention, research, and the emotional and physical care of those living with cancer.
Walk the Walk specialises in creating walking challenges and treks ranging from 5km to 100 miles and more.
Walk the Walk also started the campaigns that Men Can Get Breast Cancer Too, and Anyone Can Get Breast Cancer, raising awareness for men.
Walk the Walk has raised in excess of £148 million to date.