John Baron MP hosts and addresses ‘Cancer52’ Parliamentary reception

(l to r): Gerald Fitz-Gibbon, Chordoma UK; Jane Lyons, CEO Cancer52; Susan Fitz-Gibbon, Co Founder of Chordoma UK and John

MP: NHS England’s announcement will improve earlier diagnosis

Yesterday the Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer (APPGC), John Baron MP, hosted and addressed a Parliamentary reception organised by ‘Cancer52’, a coalition of more than 80 charities representing rare and less common cancers. The purpose of the reception was to raise the profile of these cancers which, despite the name, taken together account for half of all UK cancer deaths – as many as the ‘big four’ (breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancer). MPs were also able to collect information about rare and less common cancers in their constituencies.

John said,

“We have a big problem which, together, we need to address. Despite rare and less common cancers accounting for around half of all cancers, patients suffer from delayed diagnosis because symptoms are less well-known, from poor patient experience, and from lower levels of investment in research resulting in fewer advances in treatment.”

“In particular, the NHS must improve its performance on earlier diagnosis in this area, as the earlier a cancer is detected, the more successfully it can be treated – late diagnosis makes for poor survival rates.”

“The APPGC and the cancer community were very pleased with the response to our campaign from the Chief Executive of NHS England at this week’s ‘Britain Against Cancer’ conference that one-year cancer survival rates, broken down by CCG, will be included in the top tier of NHS accountability from April 2015. This new focus will put pressure on underperforming CCGs to raise their game and improve earlier diagnosis – truly cancer’s ‘magic key’. This will benefit rare and less common cancers.”

Jane Lyons, CEO of Cancer52, said,

“We wholeheartedly welcome the addition of one-year survival rates to the CCG reporting. But with latest data in England showing that rare and less common cancers accounted for 54% of all deaths from cancer in 2011[i] , more than the ‘big four’ together, it is clear that more we need more focus and investment in these cancers.”

“Specifically the ‘Britain Against Cancer’ conference earlier this week saw both main political parties and NHS England committing to refreshed cancer strategies and we will be seeking pledges from all to a sizable presence for rare and less common cancers at the table when the strategies are being developed.”