Ex-MP says cancer could have been spotted earlier by a screening test he backed under David Cameron that was meant to be available across the country by now
FORMER Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has revealed he has bowel cancer which could have been spotted earlier by a screening test he backed.
Lord Lansley said he was diagnosed with stage three tumours nine months ago and is now receiving chemo.
The Tory peer said docs have told him he has "every reason to hope" his cancer can be treated, keeping him alive for the long term.
But if not for "wrongly" imposed cuts, the “Bowelscope” programme he helped introduce under David Cameron could have given him an earlier diagnosis.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph Lord Lansley said he was "lucky" his cancer was spotted nine months ago, when spreading back pain and "nagging" from his wife persuaded him to see his GP.
He added: "I want to know that for others like me in future, with better knowledge about symptoms, with earlier improved screening in place, and with a new focus on personalised preventative medicine, it really isn't about luck."
Tests for all men from the age of 55 are currently only available to around half the population, mainly due to budget cuts, he said.
Lord Lansley, 61, added: “Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in this country. It should be so much less.
"These priorities for progress can make a real difference. By prevention and early diagnosis, we can save lives and money."
He claimed 3,000 lives a year could be saved by it as the disease is curable if diagnosed early.
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