The British Liver Trust have joined over 60 charities and 80,000 signatories in calling on the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to take dedicated action to tackle the cancer emergency.
The petition was launched in response to the promised 10-year cancer plan being scrapped by the Government in favour of a five-year Major Conditions Strategy which covers a wide range of complex conditions diluting focus on cancer services.
The British Liver Trust, along with the five other health charities form the Less Survivable Cancer Taskforce (LSCT) represent the six less survivable cancers, liver, lung, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach. Combinedn these cancers make up nearly half of all common cancer deaths in the UK.
British Liver Trust Chief Executive, Pamela Healy OBE said: “We are proud to join One Cancer Voice in calling on the Prime Minister to take urgent action to turn the tide on the cancer crisis and improve prevention, early detection, outcomes and care.
“Liver cancer is the fastest rising cause of cancer death in the UK with a five-year survival rate of just 13%. We need dedicated action now more than ever to close the deadly cancer gap and improve outcomes for liver cancer patients and the less survivable cancers.”
Representing the British Liver Trust, Paul McGlinchey joined campaigners and Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, Steve Brine MP, at Westminster to send a clear message to Downing Street that dedicated action is needed to help improve cancer outcomes and save lives.