John with the speakers
MP and Hospital host event on 28th June to boost earlier diagnosis
Today John Baron MP and Basildon Hospital hosted a Cancer Summit, bringing together GPs, consultants and cancer specialists. There was a strong response from the local NHS, with the summit approaching capacity.
The purpose of the Summit was to promote awareness of the importance of earlier diagnosis for cancer patients. The earlier a cancer is detected, the more successfully it can be treated. Late diagnosis, which makes for much reduced survival, is sadly widespread in the UK; this needs to change, especially if the Government is to meet its target of saving an extra 5,000 cancer lives by 2014/15. The Summit was addressed by a range of specialist guest speakers [please see attached Agenda].
You are invited to send a reporter and photographer to the Education Centre (Basildon Hospital) on Friday 28th June at 11.45am, to meet John and Mr Shah.
John said,
“Earlier diagnosis is the ‘magic key’ when it comes to cancer, as it drives up survival rates. We need to address the fact that a quarter of all cancer cases are first diagnosed at A&E. Improving these figures would make for a big improvement in local survival rates.”
“My congratulations go to Basildon Hospital for organising and hosting the summit. I am particularly pleased with the strong response from the local NHS. Our cancer patients should benefit as a result.”
Mr Samir Shah, clinical lead for cancer and consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre said:
“Events like this summit are important in maintaining cancer at the top of the healthcare agenda. Although the management of the cancer is a multidisciplinary undertaking, getting patients diagnosed early remains the key to better outcomes and this process starts in primary care.”
Ends
Word Count: 310
Date: 28th June 2013
Notes to Editors:
- The guest speakers were:-
- Sara Hiom, Director of Earlier Diagnosis and Patient Engagement at Cancer Research UK.
- Barbara Gill, the Transitional Lead of the East of England Strategic Cancer Network.
- Dr Kishor Padki, the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative project lead for ‘earlier diagnosis of cancer’ in Essex.
- For more information about the event, please contact the Hospital on 01268 524900, ext 2993.
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