WE have all no doubt witnessed the devastating impact of cancer on people's lives whether from first-hand experience or seeing a friend or family member suffer deteriorating health.

Statistics show there is a 50 per cent chance of being diagnosed with cancer of one type or another at some point in our lives.

They also show that, whereas 40 years ago only one in four survived, there is now a 50 per cent chance of survival.

Early diagnosis is a key factor, followed by prompt and appropriate treatment.

Cancer Research UK is determined that further advances be made to beat cancer sooner and reach a figure of 75 per cent surviving by raising public awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer.

Also by increasing participation in screening programmes and by providing equal access to radiotherapy, surgery and effective drugs including those targeted at patients tumours.

This goal is achievable, but only through political action and commitment to back appropriate measures to ensure people with cancer receive the best available treatment, irrespective of postcode, and get diagnosed early enough for treatment to make a difference.

Currently, survival rates for many cancers in the UK are still lagging behind the best in Europe and too many cancers are only diagnosed at an advanced stage when they are harder and more expensive to treat successfully.

During election campaigns we tend to focus our attention on the things that are important to us which is why the NHS is so often in the headlines.

If the next government is to save more lives, surely beating cancer sooner should be a key priority.

As a Cancer Research Campaigns ambassador, I urge everyone to ask their parliamentary candidates to commit to Cancer Research UK's Cross Cancer Out campaign in the run up to the General Election.

For those with computer access this can easily be done by visiting cruk.org/crosscancerout where it is possible to email all your candidates directly – it only takes a few minutes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Graham Bushnell-Wye Barnton