Henry Smith MP is backing an appeal from Cancer Research UK to save the lives of more cancer patients, and sponsored an event held by the organisation to mark World Cancer Day (4th February 2015) in Westminster.
Henry said;
“I was delighted to host Cancer Research UK in Parliament, and hear about their work from nurses, researchers and campaigners, who continue to fight against the disease.
“We cannot underestimate the devastating impact that cancer will have on people in Crawley now and in the future. The good news is that Cancer Research UK is making huge advances in the battle against the disease.”
New research from Cancer Research UK has found that one in two people will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives.
This 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.
Henry continued;
“With around five people diagnosed with cancer every hour in the South East, and 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 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.”
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.
Layla Theiner, Head of Public Affairs at Cancer Research UK, 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.
“That’s why we’re calling on MPs and parliamentary candidates from all political parties to commit to ‘Cross Cancer Out’ and help ensure no-one’s life is cut short by this devastating disease.
“We’re grateful to Henry Smith MP for sponsoring our event and helping us to raise awareness of Cross Cancer Out in Parliament.”
External links:
Cross Cancer Out – Cancer Research UK
Follow Henry daily via:
www.twitter.com/HenrySmithMP
www.facebook.com/HenrySmith4Crawley
www.youtube.com/HenrySmithMP
Note to Editors
Figure of five people diagnosed with cancer every hour in the South East is an approximation based on annual average figure of around 43,600 cases of all cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) diagnosed between 2009-2011 in the South East of England.