Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, is backing calls from the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce (LSCT) to end a vicious cycle which has seen survivability stagnate amongst the six deadliest cancers over the last decade.

The LSCT represents six ‘less survivable cancers’, lung, liver, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach, with an average five-year survival rate of only 14% due to a legacy of neglect and underfunding.

At a recent Parliamentary event Justin met with cancer specialists and patients with first-hand experience of these ‘less survivable cancers’ and learnt of the need for targeted investment in research in order to make much-needed diagnosis and treatment breakthroughs.

Justin said: “I am pleased to speak out for the less survivable cancers.  We have made incredible steps in treatment and prognosis for many cancers and we now need targeted action to close the deadly gap for lung, liver, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach cancer, which make up half of all common cancer deaths in the UK. ”

“There are some cancers which have seen remarkable progress in survivability but others that are just as deadly as they were decades ago.  Every year, thousands of people diagnosed with a less-survivable cancer, including those with brain cancer, are denied even the hope of a cure. Many are told they have only months to live. That must change.”

“We need more research and a committed drive towards improving survival for these cancers, so that fewer lives are cut brutally short and fewer families are left devastated by loss. I therefore urge the Government to support the LSCT’s campaign and commit to doubling the survivability of these cancers to 28% by 2029.”

The LSCT includes Action Against Heartburn, the British Liver Trust, Guts UK, Pancreatic Cancer UK, The Brain Tumour Charity and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.