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Happy #wearitpink Day

Today is #wearitpink Day, in support of @breastcancernow, who I was pleased to meet with in Parliament this week. The campaign is one of the biggest fundraising events in the UK and has so far raised over £41 million to fund life-saving research into, and life-changing support for those with breast cancer.


It is the most common form of cancer in the UK and is also the most survivable, with rates doubling in the last 50 years due to screening and more advanced treatments. But it is still a killer, which is why fundraising events like this are so important. We shouldn’t have to rely on charities to fund vital research and support, but the work they do is invaluable.


I spoke to an incredible young mother who has secondary breast cancer and who is part of the urgent campaign to get NICE approval for Enhertu, a drug that is permissioned in Scotland and which can prolong life for anyone with secondary breast cancer. It’s been deemed too expensive for the NHS to fund, which is heartbreaking for people who need it.


NICE has said they will reopen discussions with the manufacturers if the companies propose ‘a fair and reasonable commercial offer’.


In August, Torbay and South Devon was among the NHS Trusts which missed the NHS target for treating cancer patients following an urgent referral - with a quarter of patients waiting more than two months to begin vital, and potentially life-saving treatment. Shockingly 83% of hospital trusts are missing this crucial target.


Every four-week delay to starting cancer treatment is associated with a 10% decrease in survival. And now the UK ranks one of the lowest globally for five-year survival for the less survivable cancers.


Which is why the Lib Dems have called for cancer to be a top priority for the government, and have a plan to change outcomes.

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