She has encouraged others to take up the screening programme
Matt Lee Senior Multimedia Journalist
16:00, 15 Jan 2026
A former MP for Chelmsford has shared an encouraging update on her cancer journey. Vicky Ford, 58, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
Ms Ford, who was the Conservative MP for the city between 2017 and 2024, is approaching the one-year mark since she was diagnosed with cancer. The former politician said she was "over the moon" after receiving a health update, which she shared on Facebook, having undergone a recent mammogram.
The examination showed "no cause for concern", Ms Ford said. She also said she is "well through the treatments" and now on the post-treatment pathway, which will help monitor her situation.
Ms Ford, who lost her seat representing Chelmsford in the 2024 General Election, encouraged others to take up cancer screening programmes. She said: "If you do get a letter inviting you for a cancer screening, please go - it caught my cancer early and I could not have been in better, kinder or more caring hands throughout.
"I’m not saying that having a mammogram is easy. They are NOT comfortable, and I’m convinced that the boob squisher [sic] plates of that machine must have been designed by men (sorry guys, but really?).
"However, mammograms save lives, so actually thank you to the designers. Thank you also to all the staff who operate them, in my experience, you are all lovely. Plus, when you have had the scan, you definitely have earned the right to treat yourself…
"So, if you haven’t made a New Year’s resolution yet then please, please make keeping up to date with cancer scans the one resolution you keep. As I write this I am thinking of all those friends on their own cancer journey at this time. Sending you love and thanking all those who shared their love when I was on my journey."
Screening will not prevent someone from getting breast cancer, but aims to find the cancer at an early stage. Cancer Research UK say the breast screening programme finds cancer in around 9 out of every 1,000 women having screening.