Local MP Sharon Hodgson has welcomed the launch of the “Target Cancer” campaign on www.voteNHS.com, launched by Andy Burnham MP, the Health Secretary, and Douglas Alexander MP, Labour’s General Election co-ordinator.

The “Target Cancer” campaign aims to save up to 10,000 lives by backing a pledge to create a new NHS guarantee of cancer diagnosis within one week of GP referral, allowing patients to be tested and told their results in just seven days.

Andy Burnham also challenged the Conservatives to reverse their policy of scrapping all NHS targets and patient guarantees, and to match Labour’s one-week cancer diagnosis guarantee.

Sharon Hodgson, MP for Gateshead East and Washington West said:

“I am delighted that Labour has launched the “Target Cancer” campaign today. With cancer every day counts, and so the sooner the problem can be diagnosed the better.

“I know from talking to various people who have suffered from the disease that early diagnosis was crucial. This pledge could save lives, and that’s why I’m disappointed the Tories are so against it.”

Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Health Secretary said:

“Some things are too important to be left to chance, and cancer is one of them. It's no exaggeration to say that with this disease, every day counts and cancer diagnosis should not be left to a local lottery.

“That’s why I am proud to say that with Labour, every NHS patient will have guaranteed access to diagnostic tests for cancer and crucially, their results, within just one week of seeing their doctor. If we do this, we know up to 10,000 lives a year could be saved.

“I am challenging Andrew Lansley and the Tories to drop their dogmatic opposition to our two-week cancer pledge, and admit that the quicker we can diagnose cancer, and ensure the same cancer guarantees for all NHS patients, the quicker we can treat it and the more lives we can save.

“And today I’m calling on everyone who agrees with me on this to sign up to my Target Cancer campaign at voteNHS.com.”

Douglas Alexander MP, Labour’s General Election co-ordinator said:

“VoteNHS.com will build on the success of campaigns like Ed’s Pledge, which gathered support from tens of thousands of people pushing for action on climate change, and Back the Ban, which saw 14,000 sign up in a single day to keep the hunting ban in place.

“We are also launching an online campaign called “CameraON/ CameraOFF” to highlight the difference between the rhetoric and the reality of David Cameron’s Conservatives. And today our message is on our cancer guarantees - David Cameron talks about how committed he is to NHS but what he doesn’t want people to see are the consequence of his policies. Simply put scrapping targets would mean longer waiting lists.

“Again and again you hear from people that they believe David Cameron is very good at saying whatever he thinks you want to hear. But you hear nothing from the Conservatives about what they would actually do. They keep their policies concealed.”