LEIGH MP Jo Platt got on board with a campaign about learning how to recognise signs of cancer last week.

This happened after Cancer Research UK’s Cancer Awareness roadshow made a special stop at Parliament.

She met with the charity’s roadshow nurses and campaigners to learn more about how cancer affects people in Leigh.

The roadshow team travels the country helping the public recognise possible signs and symptoms of cancer and talking to people about the lifestyle changes they can make to reduce their cancer risk.

Jo Platt said: “1,900 people locally are diagnosed with cancer every year.

"But our fantastic local NHS is outperforming the national averages, meeting our referral and radiotherapy wait targets and securing a high uptake of bowel cancer screening.

“I’d like to pay tribute to our fantastic local doctors and nurses as well as the CCG and Trust that are working so hard to increase detection rates.

“Early detection saves lives, so it was great to meet the roadshow team at Cancer Research UK and learn more about spotting cancer early, as well as the vital work being done to beat the disease.

“Events like this are important reminders we can all play a part in the fight against cancer, whether it be researchers, campaigners or the tireless fundraisers across Leigh who are helping to support life-saving research.”

The Government has made a commitment to diagnose 75 per cent of cancer cases in England at stage one or stage two by 2028.

However, to reach this target the NHS needs a long-term plan for the cancer workforce who deliver the crucial cancer tests and treatments people need.

Without this, there will not be enough specialist staff to meet the present pressures or cope with the growing and ageing population.

Head of public affairs and campaigning at Cancer Research UK, Shaun Walsh, said: “A big thank you to Jo Platt MP for coming along today and taking the time to learn about the challenges facing cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment today.

“We will soon have a new team in Government and whoever is in charge needs to ensure that improving survival from cancer in the UK is at the top end of their to do list.

"Put simply, we do not have enough key NHS cancer staff in post to diagnose and treat cancer soon enough.

"Cancer survival rates are lower in the UK than in comparable countries.

"The new Government must address this, so that everyone has the best possible chance of surviving this devastating disease.”