South Lakes MP Tim Farron backs cancer research UK's ambition to save more lives
South Lakes MP Tim Farron 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 North West.
Tim was there to find out the part he could play in helping to achieve Cancer Research UK's ambition that within 20years 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 North West, this means that around 19,000* people each year can now expect to survive the disease for at least ten years.
But despite the successes, Tim wants much more can be done to help more people in the South Lakes and across the UK beat cancer sooner. Tim 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."
"Patients also need to be able to get treatment near their home and loved ones-it's great news that here in the South Lakes we have chemotherapy available, but our next step is to win radiotherapy services for people in the South Lakes."
For more information on how to get involved in Cancer Research UK's campaigning work, visit cruk.org/campaigns.