Meeting the Pink Ribbon Foundation to Discuss Breast Cancer

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking with the Pink Ribbon Foundation at the Scottish Parliament where they showcase their powerful BOLD photography project.

In partnership with award-winning photographer Caroline Sikkenk, the BOLD project celebrates the strength and beauty of women of all ages who have experienced hair loss due to chemotherapy, intensive radiotherapy, or the autoimmune condition alopecia.

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers in Scotland. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and one of the leading cancer types overall.

Its impact is felt by families and communities across the country, which is why awareness and early detection are so important.

Breast cancer screening plays a vital role in early diagnosis.

Scotland’s national screening programme invites women aged 50–70 for regular mammograms, helping detect cancer early, often before symptoms appear.

Encouragingly, recent figures show screening uptake has reached its highest recorded level, with 75.9% of women aged 50–70 attending appointments between 2020 and 2023.

All NHS boards have also met the 70% acceptable uptake standard for at least two consecutive years- an important marker of effective public health outreach.

Survival rates have improved significantly in recent decades due to advances in treatment, earlier diagnosis and better clinical care.

However, continued investment in screening, awareness and patient support, including the work of organisations like the Pink Ribbon Foundation, remains essential.

The exhibition was a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a person and a story of strength.