Alex Cunningham has reaffirmed his support for Cancer Research UK and backed the current campaign to save the lives of more cancer patients amidst news that one in two people will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives.
The new figure was announced on World Cancer Day to highlight the urgent need to bolster public health and NHS cancer services so they can cope with a growing and ageing population and the looming demands for better diagnostics, treatments, and earlier diagnosis.
UK cancer survival rates are still lagging behind the best in Europe, while nearly half of all cancers in England are diagnosed at an advanced stage when they are harder to treat successfully. Cancer Research UK says that support for public awareness campaigns, increasing screening uptake and ensuring equal access to innovative evidence-based treatments are key to saving more lives.
Labour’s Stockton North MP attended Cancer Research UK’s event in Parliament to mark World Cancer Day on 04 February 2015 and encourage MPs to support the Cross Cancer Out campaign and back measures to ensure cancer patients receive the best treatment and are diagnosed early enough for that treatment to make a difference.
Alex said:
“We cannot underestimate the devastating impact that cancer will have on people in Stockton North, both now and in the future. The good news is that Cancer Research UK is making huge advances in the battle against the disease.
“But with more than one person diagnosed with cancer every hour in the North East, and with this number set to rise, it’s vital that we detect cancer earlier across the UK and that the NHS is fit to offer all patients the best possible chance of surviving.
“I’m backing the Cross Cancer Out campaign because it’s clear that MPs have a crucial role to play in helping to beat cancer sooner. The political drive to beat the disease must match the pace of progress in research.”
Layla Theiner, Cancer Research UK’s Head of Public Affairs, said: “The increase in the lifetime risk of getting cancer is primarily because more people are surviving into old age, when the disease is more common.
“We can’t avoid growing older, but we can prevent a crisis in the future by acting now to make our NHS cancer services among the best in the world. Without increased political support we could see the death toll from cancer rising in the UK and so early diagnosis and better treatments must be key priorities for the next Government.
