MP Dr Philippa Whitford was ‘Wearing it Pink’ in the Houses of Parliament last week to highlight Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The event, which takes place on Friday, October 20 and is in its 16th year, raises vital funds for breast cancer research.

Dr Whitford also promoted the cause on a recent trip out to Palestine where she was part of a scoping mission looking at how to improve breast cancer care in Gaza and the West Bank.

To date, more than £30 million has been raised just by people making small donations for wearing something pink.

Despite great progress in treatment and early diagnosis, breast cancer is still the most common cancer in the UK.

One in eight women will face it in their lifetime and every year around 11,500 women and 80 men lose their lives to the disease.

The Central Ayrshire MP said: “Wear it Pink in an incredibly important day in the calendar, raising around £2 million every year to support Breast Cancer Now’s life-saving research. Individuals, schools, workplaces and whole communities can all take part - all they need to do is add a splash of pink to their outfits and donate whatever they can.

“When diagnosed early, the outlook for patients is very good so it is important that women don’t ignore something they are worried about and those over 50 take up their screening invite. Any woman who notices a change should go and see their GP as soon as possible.

“While increased awareness, earlier presentation and modern treatments have improved Breast Cancer care in Scotland and the UK, this is not the case everywhere. In Palestine, there are cultural differences which can prevent some woman from going to seek help but, even those who do, struggle to access the care and treatment they need to due to the Israeli blockade.

“Breast Cancer Now’s aim is that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer in the UK will live - and we can all help them towards this goal this by wearing it pink on Friday, October 2.”

To take part, visit www.wearitpink.org/2017.