‘We must collectively do more’ as 35,000 cases forecast in region over next 5 years
North West Hampshire is beating the national average when it comes to treating cancer patients, but we must collectively do more to beat the disease, says Kit Malthouse MP.
Annual figures for North West Hampshire show:
- There are around 7,000 cancer cases and 3,300 related deaths
- Early diagnosis rates are 60.1% – beating the English average of 54.4%
- 86.6% of patients receive first cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent GP referral – above the English average of 83.2%
- 99.1% of patients receive radiotherapy within 31 days of first treatment – the English average is 97.5%
Kit Malthouse spoke to Cancer Research UK at a charity event in Parliament about how to keep the disease at the top of the new government’s agenda.
Speaking after the meeting, Kit said: “I’m pleased to say that when it comes to early diagnosis and treatment, we are beating the English average, but we must collectively do more to combat this deadly disease. Based on current figures, some 35,000 people in North West Hampshire will be affected by cancer over the next five years. It gives me hope to hear of Cancer Research UK’s vital research and the impact it’s having on beating the disease. In Government, we’ll continue to make sure that early detection and bringing innovative new treatments to patients faster are priority.”
Layla Theiner, Cancer Research UK’s Head of Public Affairs and Campaigning said: “Without increased political support we could see the death toll from cancer rising in the UK and so we’re grateful to Kit Malthouse MP for helping to highlight the power of research in beating the disease. Survival rates in the UK have doubled in the last 40 years. But there’s still so much more to do and we can’t do it alone. Investment in creating the right environment in the UK to not only enable and foster research, but also to help prevent cancer and give patients the best possible access to treatments must be key priorities for the new Government.”