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Cancer survival rates will be improved by Kendal cancer unit says Farron
December 1, 2009 12:00 AM
Tim Farron has reacted to a report by the Cancer Tsar, Professor Mike Richard, which shows that Britain is behind the rest of Europe when it comes to cancer survival rates. Tim believes that the new report emphasises the need for Kendal's cancer unit to be built urgently.
Tim met with Professor Richards recently to win his support for the campaign for a new cancer unit at Westmorland General Hospital. One of the findings of Professor Richards' report is that survival rates are low because too many cancers are diagnosed at too late a stage. Professor Richards is encouraging GPs to 'play safe' and always refer patients for a scan/assessment just in case, even if they doubt that the patient has cancer.
In South Lakeland, there are 30% fewer cancer patients referred for radiotherapy treatment than the national average. As a result, cancer survival rates in our area are lower still than the national average. It is thought that one reason for the lower than average referral for treatment is the fact that our nearest cancer treatment unit is so far away in Preston.
Tim said, "Professor Richards report makes depressing reading, but it is a welcome report all the same. It proves that we need to get on with the business of building a new cancer treatment unit at Kendal. The new unit will not just make treatment for patients more comfortable, it will also save lives"
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