SOUTH Cambridgeshire MP Andrew Lansley is backing a campaign for victims of bowel cancer, which kills 16,000 people every year in the UK. He is supporting all-party plans for a bill of rights for victims of the disease, which affects 35,000 new patients a

SOUTH Cambridgeshire MP Andrew Lansley is backing a campaign for victims of bowel cancer, which kills 16,000 people every year in the UK.

He is supporting all-party plans for a bill of rights for victims of the disease, which affects 35,000 new patients a year. Treatment in good time is effective in 90 per cent of cases.

The document lists six rights that everyone should be entitled to, including the right to better prevention of bowel cancer through diet and lifestyle; to more awareness of symptoms and treatments; and to the opportunity to access early detection. There is also the right to the best information and advice; to the choice of the best treatments regardless of where people live; and to the best quality of care and support.

Mr Lansley, who is also Shadow Secretary of State for Health and whose constituency includes Papworth, Caxton and Cambourne, said: "I have been pressing the Government to undertake screening for bowel cancer. It has been delayed and is slower than planned. We need people to be aware of the risks and symptoms of bowel cancer."

Neil Brookes, Bowel Cancer UK's chief executive, said: "We are delighted that Andrew Lansley and other MPs are supporting our Bowel Cancer Bill of Rights. The roll-out of a screening programme for the disease and greater awareness of issues such as access to treatments means that more people are acting on their concerns, including by going to their MPs.