Stephen Williams' views on cancer support and treatment
Promoting healthy living and combating cancer has long been an interest of mine and has always featured at the forefront of my political campaigns. My father died young from bowl cancer when I was only 13 so I am actually aware of the trauma that this disease can bring to families. Since being elected MP for Bristol West in 2005 I have supported a number of local and national health initiatives. In 2006 I won an award from Cancer Research UK for my work on the Health Act 2006, which introduced a comprehensive ban on smoking in public places.
My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I realise that whilst cancer treatment has improved significantly, there is still much more that can be done. The Government must ensure that cancer treatment is accessible across the country. There should certainly be basic national standards, though locally accountable health trusts should be able to set additional objectives that match the needs of the local population.
I have recently backed efforts to beat cancer at a major Cancer Research UK event in Parliament. During a reception on 2nd February 2010, I had the opportunity to discuss the importance of keeping cancer high on the political agenda. One in three people can expect a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Outcomes for people with cancer are improving but they could be better. I'm proud of the world-class charitable medical research we undertake in the UK but more still needs to be done to prevent, detect and treat cancer. I support Cancer Research UK's campaign to make the UK's cancer outcomes among the best in Europe and have visited their research labs in Bloomsburg. This would have a significant, positive impact on the people of Bristol West and I will continue to support measures that will help us to reach this goal.
Furthermore, on Wednesday 20th January 2010 I attended the Parliamentary launch for the 'BE LOUD BE CLEAR' campaign for Beating Bowel Cancer, where I pledged to raise awareness about this disease. Bowel cancer is currently the second most lethal form of cancer in the UK, yet 90% of cases can be successfully treated if caught early. As such the BE LOUD BE CLEAR campaign hopes to raise awareness about cancer screening programmes in order to improve the number of early diagnoses. Bristol West is served by the Southern bowel cancer screening hub, participation for which is slightly above the national average, however this is still only 57%. Through this campaign and other causes I hope that this percentage will increase.
In order to improve cancer treatment the Liberal Democrats believe that the resources available to the NHS must be used more effectively and made more accountable.
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