Help change Yorkshire's cancer story content
We’re urging MPs to make cancer a priority. Are you with us?
Yorkshire urgently needs MPs to agree a long-term cancer plan so more people in the region can live longer healthier lives, free from cancer.
Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer
17 minutes
Every 17 minutes, someone in Yorkshire is told they have cancer.
31k people
31,618 people are diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire each year, more than in many other parts of England.
1 in 2 cancers
In Yorkshire, 1 in 2 cancers are diagnosed at a late stage when it’s often harder to treat.
Join the campaign to change Yorkshire's cancer story for good
We’re urging our new government and Yorkshire's MPs to commit to a long-term cancer strategy. We're asking them to...
- Make early cancer diagnosis a priority
- Improve cancer treatments
- Focus on cancer prevention
- Fairer investment in cancer research for Yorkshire
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What we're calling for
A well-funded, long-term strategy for cancer, which includes the following key measures for Yorkshire:
1. Make early cancer diagnosis a priority
What this means for Yorkshire
1 in 2 cancers in Yorkshire are diagnosed at a late stage when it’s often harder to treat. In addition, 1 in 5 cancers are discovered following an emergency hospital admission when symptoms are often more severe - this is higher than anywhere else in England.
What we're calling for
Greater awareness of cancer signs and symptoms, and easier access to cancer screening for everyone in Yorkshire.
2. Improve cancer treatments
What this means for Yorkshire
Research has found that taking part in a specialist cancer exercise programme before, and after, other cancer treatments – such as surgery or chemotherapy - can significantly increase cancer survival and reduce the risk of some cancers coming back by up to 66%.
What we're calling for
Personalised exercise, nutrition and wellbeing programmes delivered by cancer specialists for everyone diagnosed with cancer. This is something we can do today that would immediately benefit thousands of people.
We are also calling for investment in our regional healthcare to ensure there are sufficient staff and resources to reduce cancer waiting times and provide the best possible treatment for everyone.
3. A greater focus on cancer prevention
What this means for Yorkshire
Sadly, not all cancers can be prevented but every year 11,797 people in Yorkshire are diagnosed with a cancer that is linked to a known risk factor such as smoking, alcohol and obesity. That’s 4 in 10 cancers that might be prevented with the right support and help.
What we're calling for
A commitment to a smokefree future for Yorkshire, and a plan to tackle alcohol and obesity to reduce cancer in the region.
4. Fairer investment in cancer research for Yorkshire
What this means for Yorkshire
Yorkshire represents 8% of the UK’s population, but receives 5% of medical research funding. That means, fewer people with cancer in Yorkshire have the opportunity to take part in potentially life-saving research.
It also means our hospitals have less research funding than in some parts of the country. Hospitals with high levels of research attract talented doctors and staff, helping to raise health standards for all.
What we're calling for
More opportunities for people in Yorkshire to take part in cancer research, such as clinical trials and pioneering new services.
Quote from David Gold, Leeds
As someone who has benefitted from a clinical trial funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, I believe it is very important that more people with cancer in Yorkshire are given the opportunity to take part in research which could help improve their treatment and quality of life.
