Local MP initiates Early Day Motion for Breast Cancer Care's "Same Difference" Campaign

6.00.00pm GMT Tue 1st Nov 2005

Annette Brooke has tabled an Early Day Motion (917) on behalf of Breast Cancer Care charity's "Same Difference" campaign. Breast awareness, access to information and breast screening for people from diverse backgrounds, including older people, socially disadvantaged groups and ethnic minorities is likely to be poorer than other groups. The EDM calls upon the government to work in partnership with other agencies on strategies to reach more difficult to reach groups, and to make funding available for them to provide such services.

Commenting, Annette Brooke said: "I believe that access to information on breast screening, treatment and self-examination should be available for all women, regardless of their background and therefore welcome Breast Cancer Care's "Same Difference" campaign. It is vital that all women know how to reduce their risk of getting breast cancer but also that they check their breasts regularly so they know if there is a worrying change in shape, size or feel."

As Joint Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Breast Cancer, which she took over from her friend and officemate, the MP Patsy Calton who died earlier this year of the disease, Annette is working particularly closely with the national consortium of breast cancer charities to improve such cancer care services.

Attached is a photograph of Annette with survivors of breast cancer at a Breakthrough Breast cancer event in the House of Commons, celebrating Breast cancer month.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

EDM 917

SAME DIFFERENCE CAMPAIGN

01.11.2005

Brooke, Annette

That this House supports Breast Cancer Care's Same Difference campaign to improve breast awareness among people from diverse backgrounds; is concerned at the campaign's findings that people from black and minority ethnic groups, older people and socially disadvantaged groups have poorer access to breast awareness and breast cancer information; is further concerned that women from black and minority ethnic groups are less likely to attend breast screening; supports the recommendation that the Government, primary care, the screening programme, breast cancer charities, community groups and the media need to work in partnership on strategies to increase breast awareness among diverse groups; and calls on the Government to make funding available to raise such awareness.

Same difference

Breast awareness is for everyone

43% of black and minority ethnic women say they never check their breasts.

Through the Same difference campaign we want to increase breast awareness among people from diverse backgrounds. Anyone can be affected by breast cancer, whatever their background, and everyone should be breast aware.

A key objective of the campaign is to work in partnership with government health departments, primary care, the NHS screening programme and community organisations and the media on developing strategies to increase breast awareness in diverse groups.

Add your support! - download a postcard to send to your MP, MSP or AM asking them to back the Same difference campaign http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/Campaigns/SameDifference/Supportforthecampaign