MP RANIL Jayawardena witnessed the fight against cancer at first hand last month.

The north east Hampshire MP met Cancer Research-funded scientists in Southampton to learn more about the life-saving work taking place.

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research and its pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.

During the visit, Mr Jayawardena learnt about the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit which works on oesophageal, bowel, breast and head and neck cancers, as well as immunotherapy, genetics and nutrition.

The Southampton Clinical Trials Unit works with researchers to design and run trials that will recruit patients from across the UK, and the MP was impressed with what he saw on his visit.

“Cancer has a devastating impact on families in north east Hampshire so it was inspiring to hear about the progress Cancer Research UK is making in the fight against the disease right here on our doorstep.

“The visit highlighted exactly why we must continue to support the vital research taking place in our region - research that will ultimately benefit the thousands of people affected by cancer each year.”

Around 130 people are diagnosed with cancer every day in the region and the head of public affairs at Cancer Research was pleased the MP had the chance to see the work they were doing at first hand.

“This was a fantastic opportunity for Ranil to see the value in investing in research, said Matt Davies, head of public affairs at Cancer Research.

“Half of people diagnosed with cancer now survive, but half is not enough.

“At Cancer Research UK, we are working to accelerate progress so that three in four survive cancer by 2034.”

More than £32 million was spent on pioneering cancer research in the region last year by Cancer Research UK and the north east Hampshire MP’s visit to see the research at its core was not his only involvement with health in the area during the autumn.

On Friday October 31, Mr Jayawardena met with Whitewater Health Partnership based at Hook Surgery to field questions about the future of the NHS in north east Hampshire.

Whitewater Health serves people across Hook and Hartley Wintney as part of the north Hampshire CCG and with doctors and nurses from the practice team in attendance, they took the chance to speak with their local MP.

Questions included in the session ranged from primary care to health funding and the ‘seven day’ NHS and general questions about Hampshire’s health services.

Mr Jayawardena said, “While fair funding for our area has been an issue, I am pleased to say that the North Hampshire CCG is receiving an uplift in the overall programme allocation of 7.18 per cent, well above the national average of 3.74 per cent - and an uplift in per capita growth of 6.12 per cent, well above the national average of 2.97 per cent.

“This will help create the additional capacity we need in our health service locally.”