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28
October
2024

Politicians Go Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Emily Bishko 0

Throughout this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland has been speaking with MLAs, MPs, and more about how we can better support the 1,490 women projected to face a breast cancer diagnosis each year. With 1 in 8 local women projected to face breast cancer in their lifetime, and with each diagnosis impacting not only the patient but also their family and loved ones, breast cancer has relevance to every constituency and community.

With these conversations, Cancer Focus NI hopes to highlight how policy can help address breast cancer, while also raising awareness of the many support services available to affected patients and families. Specifically, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland is calling for Stormont to:

  • Address the breast cancer waiting times and inequalities
  • Facilitate early detection by expanding risk-based screening
  • Strengthen legislation and resourcing for cancer prevention initiatives

Reflecting on the political engagements throughout this month, Emily Bishko, Policy & Public Affairs Officer at Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, says:

“We have had some really positive conversations this month, and we are encouraged to see so many political leaders discussing breast cancer. We hope that this will help keep cancer high on the policy agenda while also raising awareness of the many cancer support services available across the region. We are especially grateful for all of the MLAs and MPs who have been raising debates, questions, or posts on cancer.

“While preparing for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our top policy priority was the plummeting breast cancer waiting times. While we are still not where we should be, we are encouraged that this month started with the Health Minister’s announcement of new breast cancer service initiatives, which are a call to action to address this very problem. As the Department undertakes this vital work, we need to make sure that we are listening to patients and clinicians as we transform our health service to better serve the needs of NI. Still, it is great to see waiting times and breast cancer being given due attention, from the Health Department and also more broadly across our government.”

 

Cancer Focus Northern Ireland has a number of support services available for women and families facing breast cancer and cancer more generally. These include a specialist bra and swimwear fitting service, counselling, support groups, a patient driving service, and much more. To learn more and get help, visit https://cancerfocusni.org/patient-support/ or call the Cancer Focus Northern Ireland Nurseline (0800 783 3339, M/W/F from 9a-1p) for cancer information and support signposting.

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