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54% of UK cancer deaths are from rare and less common cancers (cancers other than bowel, breast, lung or prostate)

Despite this, rare and less common cancers are underrepresented and underfunded across all areas, including policy, services and research.

The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation is a member of Cancer52 which is an alliance of nearly 100 charities working to improve outcomes for patients with these highly challenging diseases.

Cancer Registrations mortality registrations in England 2015

• 134,679 cancer deaths were registered in England in 2015
• 55,959 of these registered deaths were from common cancers
• This means rare and less common cancers accounted for more than half of registered cancer deaths in 2015

The Foundation recently went to the House of Commons to encourage Members of Parliament to help champion support for the implementation of the Cancer Strategy for rare and less common cancers. Richard and Nikki also wanted them to find out what action MP’s are taking to implement relevant sections of the Cancer Strategy, particularly in relation to early diagnosis and service provision for people with rare and less common cancers.