04/11/2004

Cancer treatment is 'top priority' for government

The Prime Minister has described cancer care as a "top priority" for the NHS and the government in a new Downing Street film.

In a film released today on the Downing Street website, Mr Blair reiterated his administration's commitment to cutting the disease, claiming that investment into cancer services had reached £570 million last year.

"The result of this investment and, above all, the extraordinary talents and dedication of NHS staff is that deaths from cancer in the under-75s has fallen by 12% since 1996," he said.

One-in-three people in England will develop the disease and it will kill one in four. The second largest cancer killer in men and women in England is Bowel cancer.

The first ever bowel cancer screening programme in England for both women and men announced last week will be supported by £37.5 million of investment.

Mr Blair added: "By helping the NHS detect and treat earlier this particularly dangerous type of cancer, the new screening programme will save hundreds of lives."

A series of films on cancer is released today on the Downing Street website. They cover the key areas of preventing cancer, screening for the disease, making a diagnosis, treating patients and caring for them.

(gmcg)

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