Welsh Screening Matters Reception 2008

Minister helps spread the word that Screening Matters.

Andrew Davies, Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery, attended a special reception at the Welsh assembly to promote Cancer Research UK’s new Screening Matters campaign on Tuesday 15 April.

The campaign aims to highlight the importance of the NHS cancer screening programmes for breast and cervical cancer, as well as the upcoming bowel cancer screening programme in Wales. It also encourages people who are eligible for screening to take up their invitations.

Speakers at the event included cancer survivors Stephen Mayled and Sally Stoat, former AM and bowel cancer survivor Glyn Davies and Cancer Research UK's Director of Policy and Public Affairs Richard Davidson, with attendees including Nick Bourne AM, Dai Lloyd AM, Helen Mary Jones AM and Kirsty Williams AM.

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s director of health information, said: “Screening enables cancer to be detected earlier, and in some cases, prevented. This is crucial because the earlier a cancer is detected, the better a person’s chance of survival.”

“We welcome the introduction of the bowel screening programme as it can reduce the risk of dying from the disease by 16 per cent - or approximately one in six bowel cancer deaths*. But it’s important that those invited take part so that maximum benefit is achieved.”

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

1. Screen at least 200,000 more people in Wales 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.