REDDITCH MP Chris Bloore marked World Cancer Day at a Parliamentary event to advocate for improved cancer care and survival rates across the UK.
He spoke with cancer charities, Leukaemia UK and Radiotherapy UK, to support their calls for urgent action to enhance treatment access and outcomes for cancer patients.
During Leukaemia UK’s Parliamentary event, Mr Bloore met with researchers, patients, and families affected by leukaemia.
The event launched Leukaemia UK’s Take Action, Save Lives campaign, which highlights 17 people in Redditch are diagnosed with the disease each year.
The campaign calls for the government to commit to doubling the five-year survival rate for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) from 22 per cent to 44 per cent over the next decade.
Speaking after the event, Mr Bloore said: “Hearing directly from those impacted by leukaemia was a powerful reminder of the urgent need for action.
“Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, and we must address the gaps in current cancer strategies to stop leukaemia devastating lives.
“Leukaemia UK has outlined clear recommendations to improve early diagnosis, treatment pathways and long-term care for leukaemia patients.
“I will be pushing the government to ensure these concerns are addressed in the upcoming National Cancer Plan.”
Mr Bloore also attended Radiotherapy UK’s Catch Up With Cancer campaign event, where he met with experts and patients, including campaign patron and Manchester United player Bryan Robson OBE, whose life was saved by radiotherapy treatment.
The campaign highlights the need for urgent action to tackle long waiting times for cancer treatment with recent analysis showing over 500,000 cancer patients in England have waited at least two months for vital care.
He added: “Radiotherapy is a crucial tool in the fight against cancer, and we must ensure patients in Redditch and across the country receive timely and effective treatment.
“That means investing in workforce capacity, cutting-edge technology and ensuring every patient has access to the best possible care.”
