John Baron MP speaks at Teenage Cancer Trust Reception

MP highlights need for earlier and more accurate diagnosis

 Today John Baron MP, as Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer (APPGC), spoke at the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Parliamentary reception. The Trust is launching two reports: ‘A Blueprint of Care for Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer’, and ‘Young Voices’.

 John said:

 “Every day in the UK, six young people between 13 and 24 years old will be diagnosed with cancer. Because this only represents less than 1% of all cancers, they are often misdiagnosed and this can be traumatic.”

 “The APPGC believes earlier diagnosis is the key when it comes to dramatically increasing survival rates. 5,000 extra lives a year could be saved if our survival rates were up to the European average. The best way of getting there is through earlier diagnosis – late diagnosis makes for poor survival rates.”

 “How do we encourage the local NHS to diagnose earlier? The answer is to publish 1 and 5 year survival rates and put the spotlight on those parts of the NHS which are underperforming. The APPGC is pressing the Government hard on getting the 1 and 5 year survival rates applied across the NHS.”

 Ends

Word Count: 205

Date: 14/06/2012

 Notes to Editors

1. The attached photo shows John Baron MP with Simon Davies (Teenage Cancer Trust Chief Executive), Myrna Whiteson MBE (Founder Member and Life President of Teenage Cancer Trust) and Dr Adrian Whiteson OBE (Founder Member and Life President of Teenage Cancer Trust)
2. The ‘Blueprint of Care’ focuses on defining the complex elements and characteristics of age-appropriate care.
3. ‘Young Voices’ is a collection of messages from teenagers and young adults about their experiences of having cancer, the issues important to them and their views about Government policy on health and education services in the UK