Cancer stats are a step in the right direction

Earlier this month I wrote about how a new report from the Teenage Cancer Trust highlighted that Surrey and Sussex is one of five Cancer Alliance areas where five- year cancer survival of 13-24 year olds improved significantly from 2001-05 to 2007-11.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Feb 2019, 13:40 BST
Updated 27th Feb 2019, 14:55 BST
AGAINST: Crawley MP Henry Smith has been one of the most vocal critics of Theresa May's dealAGAINST: Crawley MP Henry Smith has been one of the most vocal critics of Theresa May's deal
AGAINST: Crawley MP Henry Smith has been one of the most vocal critics of Theresa May's deal

While this is a step in the right direction there is no room for complacency.

This week I will be meeting with the charity to discuss what more can be done on a local and national level to improve patient outcomes further.

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This was also the focus in Parliament last Tuesday (February 19), where I took part in a debate on our National Health Service.

Diagnosis target creates a risk that some cancers will be overlooked

The Government aims to see 75 per cent of all cancers diagnosed by Stage 1 or Stage 2 by 2028, however there are a number of cancers, including blood cancers, which have no staging system or are unstageable.

I continue to seek assurances from ministers that these cancers will also be addressed.

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I welcome the Care Minister’s concluding remarks during the debate on how NHS England is already testing innovative ways of diagnosing cancer earlier, with particular reference to pilot diagnostic centres for patients with vague or non-specific symptoms, which are especially common in blood cancers.

The Government have pledged to roll out rapid diagnosis centres nationwide, to offer all patients a range of tests on the same day with rapid access to results.

On behalf of the estimated 11,000 people in Crawley living with cardiovascular disease, I also highlighted the need to support people with heart and circulatory conditions.

In particular, I welcome the NHS Long-Term Plan’s renewed focus on prevention and early detection of risk factors in these areas. Four in ten adults with high blood pressure remain undiagnosed.

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An estimated one in five of those who have been diagnosed are not being optimally treated.

With improved detection of who has these conditions, they can be helped to manage their risk, ultimately saving more lives.

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Previous columns: https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/news/we-need-to-end-the-uncertainty-over-brexit-1-8818250

https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/news/i-will-continue-to-support-our-police-1-8808810

https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/news/improving-cancer-care-1-8801664