Letter: Breast cancer taboo

Sir: The fact that breast cancer is most common in older women is not a reason for suppressing information about the disease ("Doubt cast over value of breast cancer campaigns", 30 September).

In many cases, it is the daughters and granddaughters of these women who, having witnessed the suffering of someone they love, demand that breast cancer remains high on the public agenda so that resources continue to be made available to fight this devastating disease.

It is a fact that, in this country, breast cancer is the single most common cause of all deaths in women aged 35-54. Until very recently, there was a huge taboo surrounding the disease, with women too embarrassed to speak out about their illness. Surely we do not want to return to those dark days?

DELYTH MORGAN

Chief Executive

Breakthrough

London WC2