Mark Durkan MP pledges to end ovanan cancer postcode lottery for women in Derry
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has signed up to a new campaign at Westminster this week to end the ovarian cancer postcode lottery – launched by the charity Target Ovarian Cancer.
Mr Durkan has pledged his support for the new campaign after Target Ovarian Cancer released a new report highlighting the regional differences between survival rates of ovarian cancer, awareness and participation in clinical trials.
Mr Durkan, who has taken up a new role as vice-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ovarian Cancer, said: “More needs to be done to ensure that all women with ovarian cancer get the support and care that they need, regardless of where they live.
“I have pledged to make sure that is happening in Derry.”
Annwen Jones, Chief Executive for Target Ovarian Cancer, said: “Whilst cancer doesn’t discriminate by address, this new report clearly shows that women with ovarian cancer are facing a life-altering postcode lottery. Women with ovarian cancer should be able to access the best standards available, no matter where they live in the UK.
“This is why we’re launching The Ovarian Cancer Postcode Lottery report and calling on all MPs to make sure that women with ovarian cancer are getting access to the best treatment and care possible. We need to stop women needlessly dying because of where they live.
“The most important thing is that women know what to look out for. That is why we need a national awareness campaign so that every woman knows the key symptoms which are having a bloated tummy or tummy pain, needing to wee more often/urgently and always feeling full.”
For more information and to read the report visit www.targetovariancancer.org.uk
