With 7,000 women affected each year, it is the fourth biggest cancer killer in women with around 4,300 deaths. Previously described by Steve Brine as a 'silent national scandal', the UK has the worst one year survival rates in ovarian cancer, and over 1000 women each year die within 2 months of diagnosis.
Steve was joined in the meeting by his colleague Sharon Hodgson (Labour, Washington and Sunderland West) who chairs the All-Party Group on Ovarian Cancer. As well as their work in Parliament on fighting the condition, Steve and Sharon both serve as co-chairs of the All Party Breast Cancer Group, and this crossover has been extremely useful in creating a joined up approach to tackling these dreadful diseases.
They pushed the Minister on securing a national Be Clear on Cancer campaign at the earliest opportunity, following a pilot starting this month in the North-West of England. Working with Target Ovarian Cancer, they also presented clear evidence showing the campaigns not only improved awareness amongst women, but also health professionals.
Steve Brine said: "There is so much synergy between the work Sharon and I do with breast cancer and the fight against ovarian. This was a useful session with the Minister and we covered a lot of ground, including the major Be Clear on Cancer trial in the North West and how we will follow that up with a view to getting a nationwide rollout.
"This battle is so much about awareness and the statistics are clear, the better awareness we achieve for the symptoms of ovarian cancer, the more lives we can save."
The meeting also covered the Cancer Drugs Fund, health tourism and the upcoming Target Ovarian Cancer Summer Parliamentary Reception.
Pictured; Sharon Hodgson MP, Steve Brine MP and Public Health Minister, Jane Ellison
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Steve Brine is very keen to hear from affected constituents, and you can reach him via [email protected] and 01962 791110.
The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can be found at www.targetovariancancer.org.uk