Dear Editor,

I was alarmed to read a new report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer, ‘A Mixed Picture’, which uncovered stark contrasts in the diagnosis, treatment and care of breast cancer patients across England.

This variation is unacceptable. Depending on where they live in England, some women are more than twice as likely to die from breast cancer under the age of 75.

In our own area there is significant variation in premature mortality rates between different Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). For example in Bracknell and Ascot CCG on average 16.2 women under the age of 75 per 100,000 die from breast cancer, but in Thanet CCG it is 29.1 – almost twice as many and well above the national average.

Access to the best breast cancer services shouldn’t be dictated by where you live, so that’s why I have joined a new campaign by the charity Breast Cancer Now to end this postcode lottery.

I have emailed my local MP asking them to urgently contact our local Cancer Alliance to discuss how these issues can be addressed, to ensure that women throughout England receive the best possible treatment and care no matter where they live. I would encourage others to join me and email their MP by visiting: breastcancernow.org/postcodelottery

Julie Brandram Jones

Kings Caple