Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now said:
“Today’s hugely welcomed research revealing most early-stage breast cancer patients will be long term survivors, is testament to significant progress made on breast cancer research over the decades, including advances in diagnosis and treatment.
“But we must be clear, breast cancer is not a done deal. 11,500 people a year in the UK die from the disease, and despite the tireless work of NHS staff, we know many women are waiting far too long for a diagnosis and are experiencing anxious delays to their treatment. Without urgent action from governments across the UK, to get breast cancer services back on track, we risk seeing these decades of progress unravelling.
“There’s still so much to do to ensure the increasing numbers of people living with and beyond breast cancer get the treatment and support they need to live well. The UK governments must urgently publish a fully-funded long-term workforce plan for the NHS, crucially setting out the numbers of staff needed. Only then can we guarantee people with breast cancer the best chances of survival, both now and in future.”
ENDS