Beat Cancer

9.00.00pm GMT Wed 24th Feb 2010

Exeter Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Graham Oakes for has joined hundreds of candidates across the country in signing up to Cancer Research UK's Cancer Commitment, aiming to make UK cancer outcomes among the best in Europe in the next ten years.

Graham said: "I am delighted to pledge my support for Cancer Research UK's vital campaign. Few people's lives are not touched by these dreadful diseases and it remains the public's number one fear. With a concerted effort from the next Parliament, we can give hope to the millions of people affected by cancer and their friends and family."

More than one in three people in Exeter will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. In the last thirty years, the UK's 10-year survival rates have doubled but cancer survival rates still lag behind the best performing countries in Europe such as Sweden, Norway and Finland. Cancer Research UK is calling on Parliamentary candidates to commit now that if they are elected, they will help make cancer outcomes for patients in the UK among the best in Europe in a decade.

The Cancer Commitment calls on MPs in the next Parliament to take action in five key areas:

Detecting cancer earlier

Providing world class treatment

Preventing more cancers

Tackling cancer inequalities

Protecting the UK's research base