John Baron MP will say thousands of lives depend on earlier diagnosis in Parliamentary debate

MP to lead debate on APPG’s Cancer Report

Last December, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer (APPGC) launched a major report into the implications of the changing NHS structures on cancer services and patients. There have been major reforms and upheavals, and there is a danger cancer services may suffer as the NHS adjusts. Sadly Britain continues to suffer from substandard survival rates – over 5,000 lives could be saved each year if our survival rates were brought up to the European average.

Tomorrow [13^th February] the Chairman of the APPGC, John Baron MP, will lead a House of Commons debate on the report. He will highlight the need to redouble efforts in promoting earlier diagnosis, given that by 2020 one in two people will receive a cancer diagnosis. The aims of the debate are to encourage the Department of Health to follow through on the APPGC’s recommendations with NHS England.

John will say,

“Cancer is on the march. Despite increasing research and greater awareness, one in two people will receive a cancer diagnosis by 2020. The World Health Organisation predicts a 70% increase in incidence in the coming decades. If we are to defeat this enemy, our secret weapon is earlier diagnosis – cancer’s ‘magic key’. Much more needs to be done by CCGs in this area.”

“Our punchy report lists 18 recommendations, which we hope the Government will follow through with NHS England. Quite literally, thousands of lives depend on it.”