LISTEN - North West cancer campaigners lobby for change at Westminster

by Gráinne Connolly

Three cancer organisations based in Derry/Londonderry are in Westminster today, lobbying for MP's to implement changes with the hopes of saving lives.

Members of The Pink Ladies, Team Sorcha and Paul's Campaign have come together to form 'Team Derry'. 

Each of the groups have the chance to give a ten minute presentation about their campaign, which will be followed by a thirty minute round table discussion with MP's.

Representatives from Team Sorcha, which was set up in memory of Sorcha Glenn who died at the age of 23 from cervical cancer, will call for recommendations to be changed so that smear tests will be available on demand. 

Sorcha requested a smear test in June 2013, as she felt something wasn't right, however she was refused one as they aren't routinely carried out until a woman is 25. 

After continuing to request a test, she later secured one and was diagnosed with cervical cancer in September 2013 and passed away the following October. 

Q Radio has been speaking to Sorcha's mother, Christina Glenn who says she'll do whatever it takes to inspire change, so no other family has to incur what she did: 

Team Sorcha will be joined by members of the Pink Ladies, which is calling for an increase in the amount of money spent looking at prevention.

This group works to highlight potentially harmful chemicals and additives in food and products used by people every day, and which can contribute to cancer and other health problems. 

Meanwhile, Francie Coyle who set up Paul's Campaign in memory of his son will also travel to London to speak to MP's.

Paul passed away in 2011 just weeks after being diagnosed with Sarcoma on his 27th birthday.

Mr Coyle is lobbying for an end to the classification of sarcoma as a rare cancer, and for awareness and training for health professionals so they know how to identify symptoms earlier. 

The groups are also calling for Westminster legislation and guidelines, which are already in place in Scotland, Wales and parts of England, to be extended to Northern Ireland.