Local MP Tim Farron has today launched a cross-party manifesto for radiotherapy in Westminster.
The all-party parliamentary group on radiotherapy, which Tim is the chair of, has produced a manifesto which calls on the Government to increase its investment in radiotherapy and improve access to treatment.
Around 25% of people in the UK will need radiotherapy treatment at some point in their lifetime, but radiotherapy currently only receives 5% of the NHS cancer treatment budget.
Here in the South Lakes, cancer patients have to make a 2-3 hour round trip for five days a week, for weeks on end to reach their nearest treatment centres in Preston or Carlisle.
Tim said: “One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime. Around half of those will need radiotherapy treatment. But only 5% of the UK cancer budget goes on radiotherapy.
“Radiotherapy is the Cinderella service when it comes to the way we extend lives, to improve the quality of lives and save lives.
“This manifesto seeks to put pressure on the Government to start properly investing in radiotherapy so that the best possible cancer treatment is available to as many people as possible.”
Professor Pat Price, chair of the charity Action Radiotherapy and who also helped to set up the all-party group said: “There has been massive advances in radiotherapy treatment over the past few years.
“We just need that extra investment so that all patients have access to the best radiotherapy as close to home as possible so that they can have an effective service which will increase the cure rate for cancer.”
