MP Kevin calls for focus on breast cancer

The reception was hosted by charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer and urged Prime Minister David Cameron to make access to cancer drugs a top priority.

Rother Valley MP Mr Barron said: “Breast cancer is not yesterday’s problem.

“Thousands of women in the UK are living with a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer, with incredibly limited treatment options.

“Research is developing treatments that can give women at the end of their lives more good quality time with their loved ones.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that there is a system that allows these pioneering new drugs to routinely reach patients who will benefit from them.”

Earlier this year Breakthrough expressed its disappointment that two effective metastatic breast cancer drugs were rejected by NICE on the basis of cost.

Chief executive Chris Askew said: “The Government has a clear role to play in putting breast cancer back on the agenda.

“Researchers know that, with the right funding, it's a question of when, not if, we beat this disease.”