Between World Cancer Day and Cancer Prevention Action Week Dr Neil Hudson MP has met with a host of cancer charities looking to boost patient outcomes and support the Government's strong record on the disease.
1 in 2 people in the UK will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.
As such, Dr Hudson is boosting awareness for cancer, encouraging people to unite against the disease.
In the week on World Cancer Day (4th February) Dr Hudson met with Cancer Research UK staff, researchers and campaigners to discuss how to speed up progress in preventing, diagnosing and treating the disease.
He also met with a coalition of more than 20 cancer charities, led by Radiotherapy UK, during their #CatchUpWithCancer campaign which is designed to make sure patients are seen promptly. He spoke to mouth cancer survivors who spoke of the unseen consequences of the disease on their mental health, independence and quality of life.
Next week (19th-25th February) is Cancer Prevention Action Week, which increases public awareness about key risk factors for preventable cancers and what people can do to reduce their risk. Polling commissioned by World Cancer Research Fund showed that less than half of the UK public (47%) know that being physically inactive increases their risk of cancer.
This coincides with our Conservative Government's strong action on cancer wit NHS England date showing three in every four people survive their cancer the first year after being diagnosed, with rates of survival for some cancers even higher. since 2005 overall first-year survival rates have risen from 9% to 74.6%.
From using AI to speed up lung cancer diagnoses to the biggest prostate cancer screening trail in decades - last year Ministers in the Department for Health and Social Care announced a range of innovative schemes to boost health outcomes.
Most recently, the Government has joined with clinicians, charities and patient groups to combat childhood cancer through the new Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce. Chaired by Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, the group will seek to improve testing, diagnoses and research.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"Cancer, tragically, will likely touch all our lives - whether that is receiving a diagnosis, caring for a loved one or in the worst case scenario losing a friend of family member.
"By harnessing the wealth of passion and proficiency, we can continue to pioneer innovative solutions and ultimately ultimately try to win the battle with cancer.
"I can only thank all the public and third sector experts I've met over recent weeks for their unrelenting drive."
Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins, said:
"Discovering your child has cancer is among the worst news a parent can receive. Thanks to the remarkable progress in treatment and research survival rates are higher than ever however even then life changing consequences can remain.
"This taskforce will help bring together world-leading experts and those who have dedicated their lives to fighting cancer to discuss how we can go further faster and to drive progress in cancer care for children and young people.
"I am pleased we have such a respected figure as Dame Caroline leading the discussions and we look forward to working with all those on the taskforce to make child cancer care faster, simpler and fairer for all.
"Fairness was also the theme of this year’s World Cancer Day on Sunday, which shone a light on inequalities in cancer care across the globe.
"Through targeted lung cancer screening focusing on deprived areas, and prostate cancer screening trials with an emphasis on black men, we’re targeting the disparities that exist at home, making sure everyone can access first class cancer care."
Cancer Research UK public affairs manager, Ian Caleb, said:
“Cancer is the defining health issue of our time, and uniting to beat it has never been more important. On World Cancer Day we recognise the power of working together – and it’s by working together, with strong leadership and political will, that we can drastically improve cancer outcomes.
“We were delighted to speak to so many MPs and Peers in Parliament to mark this important day and highlight the opportunities ahead to elevate UK cancer survival to amongst the best in the world.”
*This modelled estimates is based on data published by NHS Digital in Quality and Outcomes Framework 2022/23. This publication includes data for each GP practice in England about the prevalence of 21 health conditions among their registered patients.
