World Cancer Day

Today is World Cancer Day, a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come in tackling this awful disease, and how much more still needs to be done.

Ahead of the Government’s National Cancer Plan, Cancer Research UK recently hosted an event in Westminster. It was a good reminder that the next decade could be a real turning point for cancer care, but only if we build on the latest breakthroughs and keep backing the 4,000+ world-class researchers working across the UK.

We’ve already made huge progress. Over the last 50 years, cancer death rates have dropped by more than a fifth, and today 1 in 2 people diagnosed will survive for at least ten years. In the early 1970s, it was just 1 in 4. That’s down to decades of hard graft and investment in prevention, early diagnosis, and better treatments.

However, even though we’re in a golden age for cancer research, big challenges remain. Over 460 people die from cancer every single day in the UK, and here in Newbury 71.6% of constituents received radiotherapy cancer treatment within the 62-day standard, well below the operational standard of 85%. 

As more people are being diagnosed, the Liberal Democrats welcome the Government’s promise of a National Cancer Plan. It needs to build on the progress we’ve made, expand screening, invest in modern radiotherapy machines, and cut the red tape that slows down access to clinical trials.

On World Cancer Day, let’s celebrate how far we’ve come, and double down on delivering real, lasting change for every patient.