Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar donned pink attire this week to show his support for Breast Cancer Now’s campaign to boost breast screening uptake and save more lives.
Taking place during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, thousands of people ‘wear it pink’ in their communities, schools or workplaces for Cancer Now, the UK’s largest breast cancer charity.
Wear it pink is on October 24th 2025, and, ahead of the event, Darren has shown his support by attending the Senedd ‘wear it pink’ event which took place yesterday.
The charity’s flagship campaign event highlighted the vital role of screening in detecting breast cancer early, with Newport local Nicola Willis-Sheppard sharing her experience of a breast cancer diagnosis aged 55 following a routine mammogram.
Breast Cancer Now’s ‘No Time to Waste – Wales’ petition, launched in August, is gathering support to urge the government to ensure the 70% breast screening minimum standard is met consistently, drive progress towards delivering on the 80% target, and to reduce inequalities in uptake across different communities.
This follows latest figures from Public Health Wales showing that breast screening uptake fell below the minimum 70% standard in 2022/23 (69.5%).
Crucially, Breast Cancer Now estimates that reaching 80% could have led to more than 15,800 additional women being screened and 154 extra breast cancers detected.
The recent ‘Cost of Breast Cancer: 2025 Update’ report from Demos and Breast Cancer Now also estimates that meeting this target could generate an estimated £8-£9 million in economic savings and £78 million in wellbeing gains in 2025.
Speaking after the event, Darren said:
“Breast screening saves lives from breast cancer, so it is deeply concerning that targets for women screened in Wales are being missed.
“I am therefore grateful for the great work Breast Cancer Now are doing to improve breast screening uptake and encourage people to join me in supporting their petition - Together we can send a clear message to the Welsh government that there is no time to waste.”
Claire Rowney, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now said:
“We’re so grateful to Darren for supporting our ‘wear it pink’ event. Together we can improve breast screening uptake across Wales and, crucially, save more lives from breast cancer.
“It’s vital that women attend their breast screening appointments when invited and regularly check their breasts and get to know what’s normal for them to help them spot any new or unusual breast changes. Early detection is crucial, as the sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more likely treatment will be successful.”
To sign Breast Cancer Now’s petition, visit: https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246708
This year marks the 24th year of wear it pink, which has raised over £43 million since it began in 2001. By wearing it pink this October, you can help us move further, faster for people affected by breast cancer. Sign-up today at wearitpink.org/SignUp
