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After undergoing surgery before my cancer treatment, I was in significant pain and watched as a healthcare assistant tied my shoelaces. At that moment, I felt deep gratitude because it meant I could finally step outside, something that felt long overdue. However, I also experienced guilt for needing assistance with something I should manage on my own. Today, I can tie my shoelaces without help, but I’ve become much more open to asking for assistance. This is why I undertook a task I never imagined: I wrote to an MP. In fact, I’ve written to several MPs, hoping to reach them before they pause for the party conference season.
Rather than addressing issues like the fly-tipping behind my apartment block or the unavoidable potholes, which do need attention, my letters focused on the Daily Express’s Cancer Care campaign. I chose MPs who lead what are known in political circles as APPGs, or all-party parliamentary groups. These groups bring together politicians from different parties to discuss issues constructively, rather than engaging in the usual contentious debates on the Parliament’s leather benches.
I specifically reached out to APPGs focused on cancer or health, since contacting groups like British Buses, Customer Service, or Fairgrounds and Circuses wouldn’t be relevant and might just lead to confusion.
In a world where most meetings could easily be emails, I’ve requested in-person discussions with these APPGs to ensure they fully grasp the required changes.
In my letters, I’ve highlighted: “Cancer is the worst ordeal many people will face in their lifetime. Despite this, mental health support is often subpar at best or entirely absent at worst.
“I’m spearheading the Daily Express’s Cancer Care campaign because I understand the critical need for cancer patients to receive support for any emotional and mental challenges they experience, both during and after their treatment.”
“Since being diagnosed with incurable cancer myself two years ago, I have seen firsthand how difficult it can be to access support, and I want to change that.
“I’ve heard of people who have been given the all-clear from cancer but have killed themselves because they are so scared of it returning. I’ve heard of people who have only survived with the help of their GPs or organisations like the Samaritans.
“According to the Department for Health, people with cancer are supposed to receive a holistic needs assessment either when they are diagnosed or shortly after. But this isn’t happening in most cases, and in the rare occurrences where it does happen, people have told me this hasn’t been fit for purpose.
“The Daily Express is campaigning for every NHS cancer patient to have a holistic needs assessment, and for these to be constantly updated as their treatment progresses.
“Mental health issues are the main side effect of all cancers, with patients forced to deal with a new, very uncertain reality, but medical teams don’t ask their patients about them. This must change.”
Hopefully the APPGs will agree with me and I’ll have some positive news to shout about soon.
