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ALEXANDER BACKS FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER

23-Oct-2012

Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey MP Danny Alexander is backing the fight against breast cancer by taking part in Breast Cancer Campaign's award winning fundraiser, wear it pink day.

Now in its 10th year, wear it pink, on Friday 26 October will see supporters from all over the Highlands in schools, colleges and businesses embracing the event's new theme - superheroes.

Highland MP Danny Alexander says:

"It is vital that we do all we can to raise awareness of this condition which claims the life of around 67 women living in the Highlands and 48,000 women across the UK every year.

"Approximately 300 women every year are diagnosed with breast cancer by Highland Health Board. Catching the symptoms early can make all the difference. That is why I am backing Breast Cancer Campaign's ‘wear it pink' day."

To take part in the UK's original and best pink day visit wearitpink.co.uk and register to receive your free fundraising pack now. Vanish is backing the fight against breast cancer for the third year running by raising an incredible £250,000 for wear it pink.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Health Boundary: Highland - Cancer Network: North of Scotland:

· Incidence - In the Highland Health Board, 293 women were diagnosed with breast cancer every year on average between 2006 – 2008.

· Screening - Breast screening uptake in the Highland Health Board for the three years prior to 31 March 2011 was 79.8 per cent. This is higher than the Scottish average of 74.9 per cent.

· One-year and five-year survival rates - For women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2004-2008 the one-year survival rate in Highland Health Board was 95.9 per cent. This is similar to the UK average of 95.8 per cent and the same as the North of Scotland cancer network average of 95.9 per cent. For women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2000-2004, the five-year survival rate in Highland Health Board was 84.1 per cent, which was similar to the UK average of 83.4 per cent and the North of Scotland cancer network average of 83.0 per cent.

· Mortality - In Highland Health Board, 67 women on average died from breast cancer every year between 2007-2009. This equates to a mortality rate of 26.2 per 100,000 women, which is similar to both the UK average of 26 per 100,000 women.

· Breast Cancer Campaign:

For more information please contact:

Claire Learner, Media Relations Manager

DD 0207 749 3705

Email: clearner@breastcancercampaign.org

Visit breastcancercampaign.org or follow them on twitter.com/bccampaign

Highland Libdems