Cancer Research UK has launched a new campaign – Cross Cancer Out – in the lead-up to the general election this May.
The campaign is calling for politicians to pledge their support in the fight against cancer, working to ensure that cancers are being diagnosed at the earliest possible opportunity and that everyone diagnosed with cancer in the UK receives the best treatment available.
Regional figures released by Cancer Research UK recently show that nearly 2,000 lung cancer patients could be missing out on life-changing surgery every year, with around 1,000 patients not having operations despite the cancer being diagnosed at an early stage, when the surgery is most likely to be successful.
Sara Hiom, director of early diagnosis at Cancer Research UK, said: “Access to curative treatments is vital if we aspire to having the world’s best survival rates. Cancer surgery can make all the difference, as recent increases in lung cancer operations have shown, and there has to be a very good reason not to offer patients a potentially life-saving operation.
“Surgery may not always be an option if the disease has spread, the patient decides they don’t want to undergo surgery or if they aren’t well enough for the operation. But previous research has suggested that some older patients who are eligible for surgery are being overlooked because of their age. It’s vital we remove any barriers so that patients who might benefit from surgery are given that option.
“These figures also highlight the urgent need to diagnose more lung cancers earlier. When the disease is diagnosed in the earliest stages, you have more options – such as surgery – and treatment is more likely to lead to a long-term cure. Early diagnosis and access to treatment must be key priorities for the Government if it’s serious about improving the UK’s cancer survival rates.”
The Cross Cancer Out campaign is calling specifically for politicians to continually support campaigns which set out to raise public awareness of cancer, its signs and symptoms and to ensure that all political parties make access to treatment a priority.
Sarah Woolnough, Cancer Research UK’s executive director of policy, said: “Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates in the UK double in the last 40 years.
“In order to accelerate progress and see more people beating the disease, all political parties must commit to making our NHS cancer services the best in the world.”