HEALTH bosses on the other side of the world want to replicate a successful breast cancer campaign after reading about it in the Evening Times.

Our report last week, of how the advert featuring actress Elaine C Smith prompted a rise in visits to GP with concerns about breast cancer, reached campaigners 11,000 miles away, down under in Auckland, New Zealand.

The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation got in touch asking for help in developing its own campaign using a similar approach, using graphic images of the breast changes women should look out for that could be cancer.

The campaign led to more women reporting concerns and more being referred for specialist diagnosis.

In October, the month after the adverts first ran, 9310 women went to their doctor with breast cancer concerns, an increase of 84% on the 5050 who went the same month the year before.

Over the three months around the campaign the overall increase was 51%.

In Greater Glasgow, the campaign led to an increase of 17% being referred by their GP to cancer services to have symptoms checked.

Liz Lyons, of New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, contacted the Evening Times and said: "Your story on the effectiveness of the NHS breast awareness campaign reached us here in New Zealand.

"We'd love to adopt a similar approach this year and read with interest the results of the Elaine C Smith breast awareness advertising campaign."

The Evening Times has supported the campaign, encouraging women to consult their GP with any concerns as well as running our own award-winning health campaigns.

Dr Linda de Caestecker, Director of Public Health Medicine for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "One in nine women in Scotland will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime, so it is vital that we make people aware of all the signs and symptoms."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We took a bold approach to our latest breast cancer campaign.

"We are delighted that other countries are looking at this campaign."