Dr Neil Hudson MP marked World Cancer Day at a special Cancer Research UK event at Westminster this week about the future of cancer care.
Taking place on the 4th February each year, World Cancer Day is an international initiative which inspires individuals and communities to unite against the disease.
The Penrith and The Border MP met with researchers about the life-saving work taking place in labs across the UK, along with the charity’s volunteer ambassadors who share their experiences of cancer to help inspire and inform the decision-makers who can make a real difference to how the disease is tackled in the UK.
World Cancer Day also saw the end of Cancer Research UK’s 20th anniversary year. The charity has been holding events over the last 12 months to celebrate the progress made in beating cancer, thanks to the long-term dedication of its supporters and campaigners.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border said:
“We’ve come a long way in the fight against cancer, but there’s so much further to go. The research charities such as Cancer Research UK fund is vital to help unlock new and better ways to beat the disease. As a scientist, it was a pleasure to hear from their experts and I pay tribute to the incredible work they, and other third sector organisations, do to beat cancer.
“I am proud that the UK is a world leader in cancer research, and I recognise the importance of Government investment in ensuring that we can continue to improve survival and quality of life of cancer patients. Carlisle’s £35 million state-of the art cancer diagnostic centre serves us well across North Cumbria and is a testament to the Conservative Government’s commitment to cancer research – having invested more than £882 million since 2010."
Locally, this follows the Conservative Government opening a £35 million state-of-the-art cancer diagnostic and treatment centre at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle. Dr Hudson attended the opening with the then-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care where the pair discussed all that was being done to improve patient outcomes in North Cumbria.
Moreover the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, which is responsible for healthcare across Penrith and The Border, plans to increase the number of people who survive cancer for five years by diagnosing 75% of cancers at an early stage.
Among calls to help support patients and research, Cancer Research UK is urging the UK Government to use the forthcoming Spring Budget to ensure there is real investment in reducing smoking rates and to train and recruit the NHS workforce needed for future generations.
Head of Public Affairs at Cancer Research UK, Shaun Walsh, said the support of parliamentarians is key to help transform the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer across the UK.
He added:
“The theme of World Cancer Day this year is closing the care gap and it’s never resonated more loudly, because beating cancer means beating it for everyone.
“Whether it’s helping to prevent 4 in 10 cancers by backing measures such as our #SmokefreeUK campaign, or ensuring Governments have dedicated, long-term plans for tackling cancer, politicians can make a big difference – days like this are important reminders we all need to work together to beat cancer.”
For more information visit cruk.org
