Tiverton and Honiton MP Neil Parish holds an arrow with the words ‘LET’S GET TO 3 IN 4 WHO SURVIVE’. This represents Cancer Research UK’s ambition to boost the number of people surviving cancer from two in four today, moving to three in four within the next 20 years.

Neil Parish MP Backs Cancer Research UK’s latest Ambition

Tiverton and Honiton MP Neil Parish joined Cancer Research UK scientists in Westminster to find out more about the charity’s inspiring new plan to accelerate progress and help save more lives in the South West.

Neil Parish was there to find out the part he could play in helping to achieve Cancer Research UK’s ambition that within 20 years three in four of all cancer patients diagnosed will survive at least ten years.

He had the opportunity to participate in interactive experiments with cancer researchers, learning about the biology of cancer and cutting-edge work to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

There have been major advances in the fight against cancer over the last 40 years and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.

Two in four people diagnosed with cancer today in the UK will survive their disease for at least ten years, compared to just one in four in the early 1970s.

In the South West, this means that around 15,000 people each year can now expect to survive the disease for at least ten years.

But despite the successes, Cancer Research UK believes much more can be done to help more people in the South West and across the UK beat cancer sooner.

Neil Parish found out about what the Government can do to improve early diagnosis and ensure that all patients get the best treatment possible.

Neil Parish said: “The good news is that there have been significant steps forward for cancer patients. More people are surviving the disease and living longer and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of this progress.

“But there is more to be done to help people beat cancer. I wholeheartedly support Cancer Research UK’s aim to improve survival through the earlier diagnosis of cancer and greater access to the best treatment possible.” Sara Osborne, Head of Policy at Cancer Research UK said: “It’s great to have Neil Parish’s support to highlight the vital role MPs and their constituents can play in helping to tackle all cancers.

“We must not underestimate the devastating impact that cancer has on the lives of those with a cancer diagnosis and their families.

“As more people are diagnosed with the disease, it’s essential that we speed up our progress. We know that early diagnosis and access to the best possible treatments saves lives. We need the public and MPs to get behind us and help make our ambition possible. In the next two decades we can, and will, transform the outlook for cancer patients.”

For more information on how to get involved in Cancer Research UK’s campaigning work, visit cruk.org/campaigns.