Chi Onwurah MP for Newcastle Central showed her unity with cancer patients, NHS staff and researchers at the Westminster event for World Cancer Day last week.
Chi met with campaigners from Cancer Research UK to learn about the charity’s latest research and show her support for all those working to ensure more people survive their cancer.
Ms Onwurah said:
“Every year, around 2,800 new cancer cases are diagnosed every year in the Newcastle Gateshead area. Whilst survival has doubled in the last 40 years in the UK, there is still much more work to do.
“Cancer impacts so many lives directly and indirectly, and all of us will have been touched by cancer in some way or another. Events like this are an important way to realise how we all have a part to play to beat the disease.
“Small actions, such as wearing a Unity Band on World Cancer Day to help raise funds for research, can make a big difference and I’d urge people in Newcastle to show their support all year round.”
Nationally, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that by 2034, 3 in 4 people will survive their cancer for at least a decade.
But Chi is deeply concerned that the Health services are already struggling to cope with around 363,000 new cancer cases across the UK a year, and this is estimated to grow by around 40% over the next 15 years. Already, among the workforce responsible for detecting cancer, one in 10 jobs are unfilled.
Chi believes we urgently need the Government to set out a fully-funded plan to train and recruit enough NHS cancer professionals for today and for the generations to come.
Shaun Walsh, Head of Public Affairs and Campaigning at Cancer Research UK, said:
“A big thank you to Chi Onwurah for joining us to raise awareness on World Cancer Day.
“One in two people in the UK* will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lifetime, so we need as many people as possible to stand shoulder to shoulder with our doctors, scientists and nurses on the frontline against cancer.
“The Government’s upcoming plan for NHS staffing is vital for the years ahead if we are to achieve a truly world-leading service.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Cancer local statistics: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/cancerstats/local-cancer-statistics
- Marked on February 4, World Cancer Day is designed to raise awareness of cancer and to promote its prevention, detection and treatment.
- For more information visit: cruk.org
About Cancer Research UK
- Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research.
- Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
- Cancer Research UK receives no funding from the UK government for its life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on vital donations from the public.
- Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years.
- Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
- Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK’s vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
- For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.