Patsy Calton memorial award goes to Lib Dem MP

2.56.12pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 22nd May 2007

Mark Hunter, Julia Goldsworthy and Annette Brooke MPs and Clive Calton at the presentation of the Patsy Calton memorial award

Mark Hunter, MP for Cheadle last week joined Breakthrough Breast Cancer to present the annual Patsy Calton Award. This award is presented to the MP who has done the most to raise the profile of Breast Cancer, and is named after Patsy Calton, the late MP for Cheadle. The award this year was presented to Liberal Democrat MP Julia Goldsworthy, the MP for Falmouth and Camborne.

Mr Hunter was joined at the award ceremony by Annette Brooke, the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on breast cancer, and Clive Calton, Patsy's husband who now works in Mr Hunter's office in Cheadle Hulme.

Mr Hunter also took the opportunity to sign up to Breakthrough Breast Cancer's 'Screening Saves Lives' campaign. Breast cancer screening helps to catch breast cancer early and is estimated to save about 1,400 lives each year across England. This campaign calls on the Government to ensure that the NHS breast screening programme is adequately resourced as the number of women entitled to this potentially life saving service is expected to grow by 20% between 2005-2025.

Speaking after the event Mr Hunter said: "I am delighted that this award has been presented to a friend and colleague. Julia has worked tirelessly in her area to raise awareness of breast cancer and the work that needs to be done to combat it, and deserves to have such hard work recognised.

Mark signing up to the Breakthrough Breast Cancer's 'Screening Saves Lives' campaign

Fighting breast cancer is an extremely important, every year nearly 44,000 women are diagnosed with the life-threatening disease. There is important work that needs to be done to help overcome breast cancer, and ensuring there are adequate resources available for screening is an important step in this. The Government needs to do all is can to ensure that breast cancer screening programmes are well funded. As Patsy's successor in the Cheadle parliamentary constituency, I am anxious to do what I can to help promote this cause, and am pleased to support this important campaign.