People in Yorkshire urged to send a white rose to London for a cancer-free future

People are being urged to ‘Stand with Yorkshire’ by sending a white rose to London for a cancer-free future.  

Yorkshire Cancer Research plans to deliver hundreds of the symbolic flowers – well-loved as the iconic emblem of Yorkshire - to Health Secretary, Wes Streeting.

The powerful gesture aims to bring unprecedented attention to the needs of the region and ensure they are not ignored in the Government’s National Cancer Plan, which is due to be published later this year.

By drawing attention to the region’s unique challenges, the charity is asking the Government to put an end to historic inequalities that mean people in Yorkshire are more likely to be diagnosed with and die from cancer than almost anywhere else in England.

One rose will be sent to London on behalf of each person who pledges their support, with each rose representing the region’s call for better prevention, earlier diagnosis, improved treatment and fairer research funding for Yorkshire.   

Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research said: “Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. But right now, we have a unique opportunity to change this."

Fred Giles from Selby is encouraging people across the region to take action and send a message to Westminster that the Government can’t ignore. After being diagnosed with a type of brain tumour called medulloblastoma in March 2023, the 23-year-old had emergency surgery followed by 46 weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. 

Fred said: “There have been incredibly difficult points throughout my cancer experience, from the long treatments to the periods waiting for scan results. My most recent MRI showed up clear, and for that, I’m really grateful. However, not everyone in Yorkshire gets the good news I did. I want to do something that matters, especially for other young people with cancer in our region, and we can help bring about change by pledging to send a white rose to London.”

Sara Williamson, from Horbury, is also calling for people to unite and help create a future where more people in Yorkshire, and beyond, live longer, healthier lives, free from cancer.  

Sara was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and was successfully treated with surgery, chemotherapy, a targeted therapy called Herceptin and radiotherapy.  

Sara said: “I’m so thankful I’m still here today, but it saddens me greatly that Yorkshire is one of the hardest hit regions by cancer. We have a lot more life left to live; we need our voices heard and London needs to listen. I encourage the people of Yorkshire to all stand together, collaborate and affect change.” 

Yorkshire Cancer Research’s recommendations are outlined in its landmark White Rose Cancer Report, a review of evidence that highlights the most urgent action required so more people in Yorkshire can live longer healthier lives, free from cancer.

The report was launched yesterday (Wednesday, 18 June) at a roundtable event at Westminster. Hosted by Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, the launch was attended by researchers funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, people affected by cancer, charity representatives and supporting politicians.  

To prevent more cancers and tackle smoking, which is the biggest cause of health inequalities and cancer-related death, Yorkshire Cancer Research is calling for people who smoke to be automatically offered support to quit whenever they use NHS services.

Yorkshire has the second highest smoking rate in England, with more than half a million people who smoke, and the most deprived areas having the largest proportion of people who smoke. People are three times more likely to quit successfully with professional support.

To diagnose cancer sooner, the charity is urging the Government to provide sufficient funding for screening programmes and swiftly introduce new and better ways to screen people when evidence shows they are effective, safe and cost-effective.

People in Yorkshire are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer in an emergency situation, such as A&E, than in any other region in England. Cancers diagnosed in an emergency are often found at a late stage and are often more difficult to treat. Some areas of the region also have very low rates of participation in cancer screening.  

To improve survival, Yorkshire Cancer Research wants research-backed exercise treatment to be available to everyone following a cancer diagnosis. Global evidence shows exercise can help people prepare for surgery, reduce treatment side effects and speed up recovery. It can reduce the risk of dying of cancer by up to 44% and reduce the risk of some cancers coming back by up to 66%.  

However, just one in 20 people living with cancer in Yorkshire have taken part in a specialised exercise programme, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by Yorkshire Cancer Research in 2023.

The charity is also asking the Government to help reduce health inequalities by making sure funding for research is fairly distributed so more people in Yorkshire can benefit from the latest advances in treatment, technologies and techniques.  

People with cancer often do better when they are treated at hospitals with high levels of medical research, but while Yorkshire represents nearly 8% of the UK’s population, the region receives only 5% of health research funding.

Mr Gordon said: "The importance of regional charities and strategies in tackling issues like cancer cannot be understated. It was fantastic to highlight the vital work of Yorkshire Cancer Research today, a charity so fundamentally important to Harrogate and Knaresborough, and to Yorkshire as a whole."

“This issue is deeply personal to me. While I was studying for my master’s degree, I helped care for my mum during her battle with cancer, alongside looking after my younger sister. Thankfully, she recovered but that experience is one of the reasons I entered politics. I saw how critical support, timely treatment, and local services are to people’s lives. We need to make sure no one is left behind when it comes to cancer care.

“I will continue to push for this report’s findings to be taken seriously. Regional voices like Yorkshire Cancer Research must help shape national health strategy, because they know our communities best.” 

Dr Scott continued: “The National Cancer Plan is a critical moment for people with cancer in Yorkshire and beyond. It is a vital opportunity to have our voices heard and develop a cancer strategy that makes a meaningful difference to experiences now and in the future.

“The recommendations made in our White Rose Cancer Report outline an ambitious vision so that in ten years’ time England and Yorkshire can have world-leading prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The long-term solutions presented are crucial steps on the road to building an NHS fit for the future.”