High Peak MP Robert Largan has welcomed NHS England’s decision to fund a National Metastatic Breast Cancer Audit, the first of its kind, and thanked Breast Cancer Now for tirelessly campaigning on this issue.

The National Metastatic Breast Cancer Audit will provide the latest data on the number of people living with secondary breast cancer. This information will provide vital guidance to NHS England as they develop services that deliver tailored support for breast cancer patients. 

Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment have been severely disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, including in the High Peak. 

After NHS Midlands decided to withdraw the breast cancer mobile screening unit from Buxton, Chapel-en-le-Frith, and New Mills, Robert Largan MP launched a campaign on behalf of local people to have this service reinstated.

The High Peak MP secured a debate in Parliament on breast cancer screening last December to raise awareness of this situation. The Health Minister, Jo Churchill MP, was in attendance, and confirmed that the mobile screening unit would be reinstated later this year.

Robert Largan MP commented: 

“This is really welcome news. Launching a National Metastatic Breast Cancer Audit will shed light on the challenges that people with secondary breast cancer have to face. Breast Cancer Now has helped to make a real difference.

“Coronavirus has made this task even more difficult, as we have seen locally. Breast cancer screening is an essential service that helps people to get diagnosed as early as possible, and receive the treatment they urgently need.

“I will keep holding the Government’s feet to the fire and do everything I can to keep this issue on the agenda in Westminster.”