More people need to discuss the importance of breast cancer screenings – with one Bradford councillor saying: “It is a message that will literally save lives.”
At the last meeting of Bradford Council, breast cancer survivor Cllr Alison Coates (Cons, Baildon) discussed the importance of improving screening rates in Bradford.
She told her fellow members that take-up of cancer screenings were often boosted by “the Jade Goody effect” – when a celebrity dies of cancer, but that it was vital that take-up remained high.
Cllr Coates was presenting a motion to the council aimed at boosting screening rates by engaging with communities and ensuring screenings are easy for all to access.
The meeting heard that screening rates were particularly low in areas of Bradford – often the most deprived areas of the district.
She said: “In 1992 at the age of 26 I found a lump in my breast. I was referred to Bradford Royal Infirmary and diagnosed with breast cancer.
“My operation and chemotherapy proved successful, and the NHS saved my life.
“Thirty one years later I am still here to tell the tale. Others are not so fortunate.”
But she said many don’t take up the offer of screenings, adding: “Early detection leads to more favourable outcomes.
“Last November a newspaper did an article with me where I urged people to get screenings, saying a few seconds of being uncomfortable could save their life.”
That report revealed that in Bradford, NHS figures showed over 25,000 women were not up to date with their mammogram screenings between 2020 and 2021.
Cllr Coates said she was “shocked” by these figures.
She told her fellow councillors: “When a celebrity or public figure has cancer uptake increases – it is called the Jade Goody effect.
“It is important that the increased uptake in this period is sustained.
“I encourage everyone to start the conversation – it is a message that will literally save lives.”
Labour councillor (Thornton and Allerton) told the meeting she was also a breast cancer survivor.
She pointed out that those living in poverty were more likely to not attend breast cancer screenings, and that more needed to be done to engage with these communities and make it easier for them to attend screenings.
The motion was supported by other parties, although Labour added some slight amendments. This amended motion was then approved.
After the vote Cllr Coates said: “I’m pleased to have been able to highlight this very important subject in the chamber.”
