We launch Bowel Cancer Champions in Scotland and Wales

In 2017 we launched our Bowel Cancer Champion campaign following the UK General Election. Hundreds of our wonderful supporters asked their newly elected MPs to work with us to lead change in Parliament for people affected by the disease. We are absolutely thrilled we now have 72 cross-party MPs that are taking action in Parliament as champions and this number continues to rise.

Building on the success of this initiative, today we launch the campaign for politicians in Scotland and Wales to help us improve survival rates.

Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer, making it the UK's fourth most common cancer. It's also the second biggest cancer killer, more than 16,000 people die from the disease every year. However it shouldn’t be because it is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early.

As a bowel cancer champion, politicians across England, Wales and Scotland will work with us to improve early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care both in their constituency and nationally. By bringing people together, such as patients and families, doctors and nurses, scientists and politicians we will create a future where nobody dies of the disease.

Today we also announce Jayne Bryant AM for Newport West has become the first Bowel Cancer Champion in Wales. Working alongside people affected by the disease in her constituency, Jayne will aim to raise awareness of the importance of taking part in bowel cancer screening, which currently has one of the lowest uptake rates across Wales.  Jayne will also work with us to develop a package of training aimed at her Assembly Member colleagues so that they can also champion bowel cancer in their communities.  

Can you call on your local Assembly Member (AM), Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP), or Member of Parliament (MP) to become a bowel cancer champion and lead the change?

Politicians have a responsibility to represent you as their constituent. By asking your AM, MSP or MP to become a bowel cancer champion, you can help us address our key issues in Parliament. The more champions we have representing us, the more we can push for life-saving changes in the way we diagnose and treat bowel cancer.

• Ask your local MSP to join us in Scotland
• Ask your local AM to join us in Wales
• Ask your local MP to join us in England

Due to the ongoing political situation in Northern Ireland meaning there is no working Government, our bowel cancer champions action will not be launched for Members of the Legislative Assembly at this time.