Celia Barlow MP has called on the Government to support Cancer Research UK’s new Screening Matters campaign and screen at least 3 million more people over the next five years.

The campaign aims to highlight the importance of the three NHS cancer screening programmes for breast, bowel and cervical cancer. During the event, the MP for Hove and Portslade discussed a Cancer Research UK survey* of more than 4,150 people which revealed that only 16 per cent could correctly identify breast, cervical and bowel cancers as the three cancers currently screened for by the NHS.

Celia Barlow MP said: “I am concerned that many people are unaware of all three of the cancer screening programmes that are available. Studies have demonstrated that our breast, cervical and now also bowel cancer screening is effective and really does save lives. But we could save even more if people booked appointments and turned up.

 “I have pledged my support for Cancer Research UK’s Screening Matters campaign which nearly 100,000 people have signed up to so far. I am encouraging local people to get involved too by signing their own pledge at www.cancercampaigns.org.uk.”

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s Director of Health Information, said: “We are very grateful for Celia Barlow MP’s support for our Screening Matters campaign. Screening enables cancer to be detected earlier or even prevented from developing. This is crucial because the earlier a cancer is detected, the better a person’s chance of survival.

The Screening Matters campaign highlights the particular areas where Cancer Research UK would like the Government to take most urgent action on, seeking commitments to:

1. Screen at least three million more people over the next five years.

2. Reduce the variation in screening across the UK.

3. Reach out to people eligible for screening who aren’t taking part.

4. Provide the best possible screening programmes through funding, staffing and measuring success.

Screening Matters is a new campaign co-ordinated by Cancer Research UK in partnership with Beating Bowel Cancer, the Bobby Moore Fund, Bowel Cancer UK, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Campaign, Breast Cancer Care and Jo’s Trust.

Photograph available on request.

ENDS