Stuart Anderson MP has thrown his support behind Cancer Research UK. He visited their shop in Bridgnorth earlier in August to thank staff and volunteers for their inspiring work.
Across the country, Cancer Research volunteers have collectively given 2.5 million hours of their time. Thanks to their incredible support, £28 million was raised through their shops during 2023/24.
Nearly 1 in 2 people in the UK will sadly get cancer in their lifetime. There are 3,300 new cancer cases every year in the area including South Shropshire constituency.
South Shropshire has a cancer prevalence rate of 5.6%, which is above both the regional and national average at 3.4% and 3.5% respectively. Thankfully, 49.3% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage. This equates to around 1,300 of that figure.
However, Stuart has said that the upcoming National Cancer Plan must include an explicit focus on tackling high prevalence rates in rural areas. He has said that doing so could be a "real turning point" for tackling cancer.
Stuart has made the health and wellbeing of his constituents a top priority. He has committed to doing all that he can to secure better investment for local services that improves their quality and outcomes achieved for residents.
To this end, Stuart has already called for a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund and for more Community Diagnostic Hubs (CDCs) in rural areas like South Shropshire.
In correspondence with Stuart, Minister for Public Health and Prevention Ashley Dalton MP stated:
"A national cancer plan for England will be published this year. This will have patients at its heart and will cover referral and diagnosis to treatment and aftercare. The plan will seek to improve both the experience and outcomes for people with cancer, and our goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next ten years. We know we need to do more to support children and young people with cancer, and we are committed to ensuring this is carefully considered as part of the plan."
On 4 February, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) launched a Call for Evidence to seek the views of individuals, professionals, and organisations to inform the National Cancer Plan.
The consultation closed on 29th April, with more than over 11,000 responses. Stuart has now endorsed Cancer Research's five-point plan which includes the following strategic ambitions:
- Reducing the prevalence of the biggest cancer risk factors, including smoking and obesity.
- Committing to earlier and timelier diagnosis of cancer so that there are fewer emergency diagnoses.
- Ensuring sustainable deliver of best practice treatment by reducing unwarranted variation in access to care.
- Delivering a new Cancer Gurantee by 2029.
- Leveraging the UK's world-leading data assets to rapidly test and adopt proven innovations at scale.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"In August, I was pleased to meet with staff and volunteers at the Cancer Research charity shop in Bridgnorth to thank them for their inspiring work. Last year, volunteers gave more than 2.5 million hours of their time to help Cancer Research UK raise £28 million for their life-saving research and engagement with affected communities. Nearly 1 in 2 people in the UK will sadly get cancer in their lifetime. There are 3,300 new cancer cases every year in the South Shropshire area. Our prevalence rate is above both the regional and national average. I believe that the upcoming Cancer Strategy must include an explicit focus on tackling high prevalence rates in rural areas. Doing so could be a real turning point on tackling cancer in our country".
Stuart encourages those who have been affected by cancer and have any questions to call Cancer Research nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/information-and-support for further information and support.
