Join the screen scene
MSP Monica Lennon speaks out after her own scare
Central Scotland MSP and Hamilton councillor Monica Lennon is urging other women to check their breasts regularly after her own cancer scare.
The Labour inequalities spokesperson put off going to her doctor for over a month after discovering a lump in the shower in October.
Thankfully, tests later showed that mum-of-one Monica had a cyst and nothing to worry about. However, the experience has encouraged her to speak out after realising thousands of women are failing to turn up for vital checks.
Latest Scottish Government figures reveal that women from the most deprived areas are less likely to attend screening appointments.
Over three years, from 2009 to 2012, only 62.8 per cent of women in the most deprived areas attended screening, compared to 81 per cent in the least deprived.
The NHS Lanarkshire area failed to make the 70 per cent minimum performance update, with 69.4 per cent.
Ms Lennon is teaming up with Breast Cancer Now to remind women to check their breasts regularly and attend screenings, and is preparing to host an awareness in event in Hamilton.
She said: “NHS Lanarkshire has the lowest rates for breast screening uptake. In general there are still a lot of barriers, including fear and embarrassment, that stop women from getting unusual changes checked out or making vital screening appointments.
“Regularly checking for the signs and symptoms of breast cancer is really important.
“Like almost half of women in Scotland, I hadn’t been in the habit of regular examination – it was just by chance I found a lump in the shower. At first, I was scared to take it seriously and just wanted to dismiss it. It took me until early December to go to the doctor, as I just kept internalising it all.
“Thankfully when I eventually did get it checked out, I was given a clean bill of health at the hospital. But after my experience I’m more aware than ever that too many women ignore the early signs or don’t go for routine screening.”
She added: “The earlier breast cancer is caught, the greater chance there is for it to be cured. I hope by trying to raise awareness and talking more openly with our family and friends, that more women will spot the signs early and make that important trip to the doctor.”
Ms Lennon is also appealing for constituents who have had their own experiences of accessing services and support – good and bad – to get in touch.
The MSP’S office can be contacted by calling 0131 348 6484 or emailing monica.lennon. msp@parliament.scot.