Two members of the Scottish Parliament have attacked a breast cancer study which suggests that regular self-checking does not prevent deaths.

Margaret Ewing and Rhona Brankin have both suffered from breast cancer.

They made the comments as they launched a breast cancer awareness month in Edinburgh.

The MSPs placed messages on a "wall of hope" in the foyer of the Scottish parliament.

Researchers in the United States found that women who self-examine their breasts were unlikely to spot tumours earlier than those who do not carry out the checks.

Margaret Ewing had a recent mastectomy

Mrs Ewing said: "I would encourage every woman to continue with self-inspection because most lumps are benign cysts which simply go away."

The 57 year-old SNP MSP for Moray recently returned to work after having a mastectomy when three tumours were discovered in her breast.

She said: "Although my own cancer was fairly unusual and would have been very difficult to find on a self-inspection or even by mammogram, self-inspections still save lives."

Her message on the wall of hope said: "Never skimp on five minutes that can save your life."

Ms Brankin: the American study "is not helpful"

Ms Brankin, 52, the Labour MSP for Midlothian, said: "I fundamentally disagree with this study.

"Women know their own bodies better than anyone else.

"Nearly three years ago I found a lump in my breast and had a mammogram and breast reconstruction.

"It doesn't help to suggest that self-inspection isn't useful."

A spokeswoman for Cancer Research UK said: "Breast self-examination was abandoned 10 years ago in this country as it's a very complex technique.

"But we certainly don't want women to feel that it's completely useless to check yourself.

"Familiarity with all the symptoms can't hurt anyone."