John Baron MP receives Breakthrough Breast Cancer Patsy Calton Award

John with his constituent Ms Linda Johnson, who was one of those who nominated him for the award.

Constituent was one of those who nominated MP for award

Earlier this week, John Baron MP was awarded the annual Breakthrough Breast Cancer Patsy Calton Award. The award was given to John both for his efforts to raise the profile of cancer nationally in Parliament and for his work in his constituency to promote and support local breast cancer issues. Ms Linda Johnson, a constituent, nominated him for the award [see attached photograph].

The award was given at the ‘Westminster Fly-in’, a Parliamentary reception organised by Breakthrough Breast Cancer to promote their three-pronged campaign to save more lives through increasing awareness of signs and symptoms, promoting early diagnosis and providing access to treatment.

At the event, John said,

“Breast cancer is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, and I pay tribute to Breakthrough Breast Cancer for their work. I’m very honoured to receive this year’s Patsy Calton Award, and am grateful for those who put my name forward.”

“Earlier diagnosis is the ‘magic key’ when it comes to improving cancer survival. If we are to save an extra 5,000 lives in this country by 2014, then the NHS at a local level must focus on earlier diagnosis.”

Chris Askew, Chief Executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said,

“We’re thrilled with the success of this year’s ‘Westminster Fly-in’ and happy to see so many MPs committed to making a difference to all those affected by breast cancer. We’re doing what we can to discover more effective treatments at our dedicated Research Centre, but we need MPs and the NHS to take action to ensure that these treatments reach all those who will benefit from them.”