John Baron MP presses Prime Minister on earlier cancer diagnosis

MP will meet Health Secretary

At Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, John Baron MP asked the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Theresa May MP,

“Whilst recognising that cancer survival rates are at their highest, it remains an inconvenient truth that we are still failing to catch up with international averages, and the last government estimate suggested 10,000 lives a year are being needlessly lost as a result.”

“In her discussions with the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, whilst she recognises that earlier diagnosis is key, will she look to put at the heart of our cancer strategy the one-year survival outcome indicator, because the only way you can improve those one-year figures is to promote earlier diagnosis?”

The Prime Minister responded that John has long campaigned on this issue, and that she will bear his points on earlier diagnosis in mind.

Afterwards, John said,

“Early diagnosis greatly increases the chances of successful and effective cancer treatment. Having briefly spoken to the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care after Prime Minister’s Questions, I look forward to our forthcoming meeting to discuss this matter further in greater detail.”