Local MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, has today asked the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, in her first Prime Minister’s Questions to confirm her Government’s commitment to including a Childhood Cancer Mission as part of the Government’s Ten Year Cancer Strategy.
Caroline’s question was inspired by her 10 year old constituent, Sophie Fairall, who died last September following a year-long battle with an aggressive cancer, Rhabdomyosarcoma. Caroline has been working alongside Sophie’s mum Charlotte to push for Paediatric Oncology to be at the forefront of Government plans to improve the way we detect, treat and care for cancer patients.
Welcoming the new Prime Minister to her role, Caroline said:
“September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and as she knows, cancer is still the biggest killer of children under the age of 14.
“So I wonder if she could restate her Government’s commitment to publish a 10 Year Cancer Strategy and also to embedding a Childhood Cancer Mission at its very heart?”
Responding, the Prime Minister, Liz Struss said:
“Mr Speaker, cancer is a devastating disease and it is particularly heart-breaking when children have cancer. And certainly we will continue with the Strategy that she talks about and I know our new Health Secretary will do all she can to help those children with cancer.”
Speaking after Caroline said:
“I am pleased that the new Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to this important strategy. I look forward to working with the new Health Minister, Rt Hon Therese Coffey MP, and her team, to introduce a Childhood Cancer Mission as part of this.”
