SOLIHULL MP BACKS CONSTITUENT'S CALL FOR MORE CANCER SCREENING

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 11th Feb 2008

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt is backing Cancer Research UK's campaign for more cancer screening following requests for support from constituents with a history of cancer within their own families.

Mrs Burt has joined celebrity newsreaders Jon Snow and Natasha Kaplinsky in calling for government to tackle the postcode lottery for screening provision and to increase the quality and availability of access to screening for the most vulnerable groups.

Mrs Burt will write to the Chief Executive of Solihull Care Trust, Sally Burton, asking her about the take-up for women attending breast and cervical cancer screening, whether national targets are being met and what initiatives are being taken to increase uptake in screening locally. The Solihull MP will also ask what plans are in place to meet future needs for radiographers, radiologists and bowel screening colonoscopists for the borough.

Lorely Burt MP said:

"Thousands of women are alive today thanks to breast and cervical screening, while the new bowel cancer screening programme for men and women has the potential to save thousands more.

"Readers can also support the campaign by signing Cancer Research UK's Screening Matters petition online. You can also pledge that you'll go to screening when invited, and that you'll encourage your friends and family to do the same."