Labour MP Dawn Butler has said she is taking time off to recover after being diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram.

The 52-year-old said “everything stood still” when she received the diagnosis but that the cancer had been identified at an early stage and a subsequent operation was a “complete success”.

She said that without the check-up it would not have been discovered and told the BBC: “A mammogram saved my life.”

The NHS invites anyone registered with a GP as female for breast screening every three years between the ages of 50 and 71, with the first invite between the ages of 50 and 53.

It says breast screening saves around 1,300 lives each year in the UK.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted his support for the MP, praising her “bravery, strength and determination”.

Ms Butler said in a blog post: “Back in early November, I attended a routine mammogram and a few weeks later the hospital informed me that they had identified breast cancer cells at a very early stage.

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“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.

“However, I now have to take time off work for my recovery.

“Everyone who knows me knows that I am a workaholic and I love what I do – but unless I listen to medical advice and recover well, I will not be able to give my best.”

Ms Butler thanked the NHS and “everyone who is soldiering through” with the health service “under enormous pressure”.

The MP for London’s Brent Central said staff in her office would continue to support constituents while she is recovering.

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