MPs taken on a cancer patient journey

Cancer Research UK held its second expert briefing on cancer treatment and a masterclass on social media for MPs in Westminster on 14th July 2010.

MPs heard about the different approaches used to treat cancer patients in the UK and were taken through a range of treatment pathways that a patient may follow after being diagnosed with the disease.

They also heard about the importance of diagnosing and treating cancer early and the need for patients to have timely access to world-class treatment. Our science communications experts also gave MPs a masterclass in how to use blogs and Twitter sharing their top tips for communicating effectively with constituents using social media, based on their experience of running the award-winning Cancer Research UK Science Blog.

MPs had their photograph taken to show their support for Cancer Research UK and learnt about how people affected by cancer can find reliable, easy to understand information from Cancer Research UK on their patient information website, CancerHelp UK. If people have concerns about cancer they can also call the Cancer Research UK information nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday. They can also visit Cancer Research UK’s patient forum, Cancer Chat where they can share information and experiences with other people affected by cancer.

Aisling Burnand, Executive Director of Policy and Public Affairs, said:

“We were delighted to see so many MPs at the briefing and we are very grateful to all who came along to learn about cancer treatment. People with the same cancer, at the same stage of development, often do not receive the same type of treatment. It is of the utmost importance that patients have timely access to treatments.

Cancer Research UK believes the Government should be doing more to encourage the uptake of new technologies into the NHS. It is important to remember that this applies not only to new cancer medicines but also to surgical and radiotherapy techniques.”