FUNDING NEEDED TO MAKE PROGRESS IN TACKLING CHILDHOOD CANCERS

I led for the SNP in an important debate on childhood cancers, where I called for increased funding to improve treatments for children.

Whilst cancers are less common in children than in adults, twelve children are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every day, with one in five dying within five years. Despite these harrowing statistics, treatment of one of the deadliest types of cancer in children, DIPG, has barely progressed since the 1960s, while treatments for other cancers have improved significantly over this time.

The drive for a vaccine for Covid19 has demonstrated how quickly progress can be made when there is a will, and we must show similar determination to fund research and improve treatments into childhood cancers, so more children can be successfully treated and go on to live full and productive lives.

Watch my speech below.