29-year-old Josh KHL can walk and see
cancer free. But four years ago, a brain
cancer diagnosis robbed him of his
mobility. He developed daily sickness
and temporarily lost his eyesight.
>> The NHS allowed me to survive cancer,
but Maggie's and the support of other
charities such as McMillan uh allowed me
to thrive after cancer. So, you know,
the NHS is built for purpose. It's like
a factory, right? You know, you got this
constant conveyor belt. Um, you know,
helping as many people as possible, but
unfortunately with that, the doctors,
they just don't have the time or the
funding just to provide the level of
support which cancer patients need.
>> Josh is here backing this collective of
over 60 leading cancer charities. United
in voice and message. They're warning 6
million new cancer cases could be
diagnosed in England between now and
2040. And so they're setting out the
measures they say must be included in
the government's upcoming national
cancer plan. The strategy is a real
opportunity to change the lives of
people affected by breast cancer. We
know it's the most common cancer in the
UK affecting women. We know that we need
to improve early diagnosis rates. More
women need to be taking up their
screening appointment because we know
that breast screening saves lives from
breast cancer.
>> The earlier cancer is diagnosed and
treated, the better the chances of
recovery. The current target shown here
in green is for 85% of patients to begin
cancer treatment within 2 months, a
metric that's been missed for many
years.
There is of course a reason why this
coalition of charities is rallying now.
They're setting out their stall ahead of
the publication of the National Cancer
Plan. It is, they say, a defining
moment, which is why they all want their
views and concerns heard.
>> There needs to be funding across the
board. You know, funding increases
across the board. You know, they just
don't have the support they need. You
know, these doctors are working
incredibly hard, incredibly long hours.
>> We'll know how closely the government's
listening when their cancer plans
published later this year. Laura
Bundock, Sky News, Westminster.