LABOUR MP Dawn Butler has launched a campaign to find the millions of women who have missed their mammogram screenings for breast cancer in the UK. 

The MP for Brent Central revealed her diagnosis with the disease back in March and took time away from Parliament to recover from her operation. 

“Of course, everything stood still as it does when you hear the dreaded C-word – it is a shock but an early diagnosis means that it is something that I will get through and over. The NHS has caught my cancer early, the operation was a complete success, and I will make a full recovery,” she said. 

Figures from charity Breast Cancer Now estimate there are one million women in the UK who have not gone for their mammogram screenings, which means there are almost 8,000 women who could be living with undiagnosed breast cancer.

Black and Asian women are also reported to be diagnosed at a much later stage. 

The 52-year-old’s new campaign is aiming to find these missing mammograms and help get breast cancer screening back on track after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Butler is calling for women between 50-70 to book a routine appointment to get checked and will be keeping track of how many people have let her know they’ve booked their screening.

Over 50 women have since informed her that they are due to be screened. 

For people not eligible, she is also rallying supporters to raise awareness of breast cancer. 

She said: “When I attended a routine mammogram late last year, the hospital informed me that they had identified breast cancer cells, despite me having no symptoms whatsoever. Thankfully the NHS caught my cancer early, the operation was a complete success, and I am making a full recovery.

“But I was shocked to find out there are one million missing mammograms. I am now on a mission to find them and help get breast cancer screening back on track. The earlier you catch the disease, the more chance of recovery. I also want to raise awareness of the sad fact that Black and Asian women present themselves much later and have a lower chance of survival.

“I urge those eligible to get checked as soon as possible – and then let me know on my website. When you come forward, you will be met by the most incredible, hard-working and empathetic NHS doctors, nurses and staff who are there to help, like they did with me. 

“I want those coming forward to be the success story of my diagnosis. Together we can #FindTheMillion and help save lives.”