I attended the Cancer Research UK Parliamentary Drop-In and heard about their manifesto.
Almost 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetimes, and all of us will be affected by it.
More years of healthy life are lost to premature mortality or disability because of cancer than any other disease.
However, it is important to note that Cancer is a fixable problem. Three decades ago, England and Denmark were improving cancer outcomes at broadly the same rate, since then with consistent funding and long-term cancer strategies central to their success, Denmark has raced ahead.
Our time to act, is now.
To reduce cancer deaths, increase survival and improve the lives of those living with cancer, we need a national commitment to reduce the cancer mortality rate by 15% by 2040 preventing 20,000 cancer deaths every year. This would achieve 4% reduction in the cancer mortality rate by 2030, and 9% by 2035.
This can be done by:
1. Rebuild the UK's global position in research.
2. Prevent thousands more cancer cases. - I am glad to see that under the Conservative Government, our plan to make the UK smoke-free is already contributing to Cancer Research UK's mission. It is interesting to note that an estimated 8.1% of adults aged 18+ smoke cigarettes in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, which is LOWER than the England average of 12.7%.
3. Diagnose cancers earlier and reduce inequalities.
4. Bring tests, treatments and innovation to patients more quickly. - The Conservative Government are already working hard and funding the NHS to cut waiting times, but unfortunately industrial action has impacted ours, and also Cancer Research UK's mission.
5. Build a national movement to beat cancer, together.
Together, I will work with Cancer Research UK, continue discussions with Ministers, and work alongside the New Hillingdon Hospital to help prevent 20,000 cancer deaths every year by 2040.
