Information At The Heart Of Cancer Reform Strategy, Says Cancerbackup, UK

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 03 Dec 2007 - 15:00 PDT

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In response to the Government's launch of the Cancer Reform Strategy today (Monday 3 December), Cancerbackup issues the following response:

"Finally information provision has the recognition it deserves," says Joanne Rule, Cancerbackup chief executive. "Being informed empowers and improves people's lives. With information at the heart of the strategy, the Government has committed to providing it as a vital service to people affected by cancer.

"On paper this strategy is a breath of fresh air, but implementation is key. In order to improve the lives and experiences of cancer patients, the Government must commit to a robust and regular review of progress. As a country we have a duty to hold ourselves to account, to ensure that people receive the high standards of care they expect and deserve."

Notes:

1) Cancerbackup is the only national charity that specialises in providing information on all types of cancer.

2) All Cancerbackup services are free to cancer patients, their relatives and friends.

3) Cancerbackup Freephone Information Service: 0808 800 1234 (Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm). Cancerbackup Centres can be found in St Bartholomew's Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital, the London Clinic, The Christie Hospital, Ipswich Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals, Coventry's University Hospital and Jersey. The charity's website can be found at www.cancerbackup.org.uk

4) Cancerbackup, as a charity, receives 54% of its funding from individuals, 11% from charitable trusts, 5% from grants, 14% from companies, 2% from investments and 14% from its trading company. Pharmaceutical companies contributed 9% of the total 2005/06 income.

5) In April 2006 Cancerbackup changed its name from CancerBACUP, so that the charity's name better represents the service the charity provides: information, understanding and support to anyone affected by cancer.

http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk