A bill from Labour MP Dr Ian Gibson, who was a lecturer in biological sciences, and who conducted research into cancer, before his entry to Parliament.

Writing in PH7 Magazine, Gibson said:

"There has never been a more exciting time for cancer research. The government has put a big effort effort into tackling the inequalities of cancer treatments and survival rates in the UK in comparison with Europe and the US, as well as the geographical differences across this country. There is a new enthusiasm and determination in our hospitals to tackle once and for all these problems. We know we can do better and a start has been made.

"However as I attend many meetings of scientists, clinicians, patients and carers across the country, there is growing cynicism that the money is not getting through to where it matters. It is probably true that this has something to do with health service bureaucracy if not sheer cussedness of hospital politics in deflecting the money to what others see as priorities. No one believes that cancer is more important than the treatment of mental health or heart disease, but we need to see results in one area of health to understand how to achieve it in others. Certainly the teamwork of those concerned with cancer treatments has moved ahead more rapidly than in other areas. The message is out there on how to move things on.

"The need for a National Cancer Act to solidify the "new" National Cancer Research Institute - which is co-ordinating the campaign for new research, clinical trials, treatments etc - is staring government in the face. Without this continuous appraisal and a statutory requirement to examine and improve services in the wake of new genetic research for example, or to take on board a research evidence-based approach, the feeling of politicians that "it has all been done" for cancer will predominate."

House of Commons

First reading: May 15 2002 (HC Bill 137)