Breast Cancer EDM 419

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch about EDM 419 and Breast cancer.

Please allow me to assure you that every effort is being made to continue raising awareness of breast cancer and to improve the treatment of all those diagnosed with this disease.

I’m delighted that breast cancer survival rates have improved remarkably over the last 40 years, with five-year survival rates for women at over 86 per cent, up from just 53 per cent in the 1970s. This is a testament to the efforts made to raise awareness of, and boost funding into tackling this disease but more must be done.

Great efforts are being made to improve cancer services and to ensure that the NHS continues to provide some of the world’s best cancer care. The NHS has launched the National Cancer Programme which committed to offering uniquely tailored cancer treatment to all patients with breast cancer by March 2021; I understand that NHS Trusts were well on track to meet this target from the latest available data, with 91 per cent by the end of 2019. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has also updated its guidance on diagnosing and treating breast cancer. This guidance aims to help healthcare professionals offer the right treatments to people diagnosed with breast cancer, taking into account their individual preferences which I am encouraged will significantly improve patient experience and quality of care.

These measures form just part of the NHS’s ambitious wider strategy to improve cancer outcomes. The NHS Long Term Plan (LTP) was published in January 2019 and commits to improving detection, with more targeted screening and Rapid Access Diagnostic Centres, so that in 10 years’ time these measures will help achieve 55,000 more people surviving cancer each year. Further, the LTP outlines that, where appropriate, every person diagnosed with all types of cancer, including those with secondary cancers, should have access to personalised care by March 2022.

I understand your frustration that Sacituzumab Govitecan, also known as Trodelvy is, is not yet available in our country, however, it is vital that any new drug or treatment is rigorously tested to meet the UK's high standards of medicine. I am proud that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has some of the highest standards in the world. While information on cancer drugs being considered by Project Orbis is considered commercially confidential, I would like to reassure you that the Government is committed to providing the best possible treatment not only for Triple Negative Breast Cancer, but all types of cancer.

If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk