Public health minister marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The MP for Winchester has highlighted Breast Cancer Awareness Month during key parliamentary debates.
Steve Brine, the public health minister, spoke during a backbench business debate tackling breast cancer. His speech focused on early detection, survival rates and his hopes for the future of treatment.
The MP was formerly the chair of the All Party Group for Breast Cancer and told the House he wanted a future where there is no breast cancer. He went on to say: “Survival rates have never been higher, increasing year on year since 2010.”
The 10-year survival rate has gone from 40% in the 1970s to 78% today.
But Mr Brine also emphasised that huge progress, in the diagnosis, treatment and support of cancer, could still be achieved, within the next 10 years.
He said: “The NHS long-term plan, with cancer right at its heart, will turbocharge all we have already achieved and are on track to achieve through our Cancer Strategy but we’ve a lot to do in this space. I want to see better screening uptake, less invasive treatments where that’s required and all women having access to dedicated cancer nurse specialist by 2020.
“NHS England and I, with the support of our cancer community, are committed to making the ambitions it sets out an absolute reality, ensuring a huge leap forward over the next decade.”
