During one very full week, Professor Pat Price has been at the forefront of numerous initiatives, utilising her expertise to drive change and advocate for patients worldwide, particularly in conjunction with the World Cancer Day 2024 events.
Catch Up With Cancer Event at Parliament
Radiotherapy UK, joined with patients, activists, oncologists and other cancer charities to call on Parliament for urgent action to tackle the cancer crisis.
This is amazing. We’ve got 30 cancer charities here today, and what we’re doing is putting our voice together. We are all seeing the same problems and we’re all saying the same thing, individually- nobody’s going to listen. But if we all come together, we say the same thing strongly. We’re all here for our patients. So hopefully now, somebody will listen.
PROFESSOR PAT PRICE
Radiotherapy Vision Document Launch
Following the event at Parliament, Professor Price spoke at the launch of the 10-year Vision for Radiotherapy, hosted by Radiotherapy UK. The document titled, “World-class Radiotherapy in the UK: Right Patient, Right Treatment, Right Time” was authored and endorsed by key members and organisations in the radiotherapy community. The event was attended by parliamentarians, frontline staff, industry representatives, patients and cancer experts.
Wes Streeting and Pat Price pose for photo for #CatchUpWithCancer campaign
Podcast
Professor Price was interviewed on The Today Podcast (BBC Sounds) for the episode, “Why We Need to Talk about Cancer”. UK comedian, actor, writer, and presenter Stephen Fry also joined the programme to speak about his own diagnosis with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. It was a captivating episode in which Professor Price covered topics such as: facing the fear of cancer, what cancer actually is, improved survival rates, prevention, the UK's cancer crisis.
We know what to do, we could do it, it's just not been prioritised. [To the government:] Let's do it!
PROFESSOR PAT PRICE
The hosts highlighted that she brought a challenge to the politicians and those who run the NHS, but she also brought hope to their listeners.
After appearing on the podcast, Mr. Fry showed his support to Radiotherapy UK, urging people to sign #CatchUpWithCancer the petition to show support for the 4 in 10 people with cancer waiting too long for vital treatment. In just 48 hours 3,000 more signatures were collected.
To add your signature, click here:
Media Moments
Professor Price was interviewed by the media and quoted by various publications during the week.
On the 5th of February, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles was diagnosed with cancer. The news prompted an outpouring of support from around the world, including Professor Price, who extended her well wishes to the King and his family. In an article from, The Standard, she commended him for publicly sharing his diagnosis and raising awareness about cancer.
The King's openness about his battle with cancer is a powerful reminder that one in two of us may face cancer at some point in our lives.
PROFESSOR PAT PRICE
Professor Price was interviewed by iTV News for her expertise as a clinical oncologist to discuss the King's cancer diagnosis.
She was also able to share the advantages of radiotherapy treatments in an article from Express.
It’s time to realise the immense potential of radiotherapy by harnessing proven technical advances and innovation to improve patient outcomes. Let us prioritise this cost-effective and curative treatment, where a modest investment could yield a huge leap in progress. If we do this, the world will watch, and we will all be empowered.
PROFESSOR PAT PRICE
These important moments in the UK have global impact, with cancer awareness spreading globally and best practices being shared through collaboration.
Global Coalition for Radiotherapy (GCR) Webinar
GCR World Cancer Day Webinar Presenters: Wil Ngwa, Ted Trimble, Susannah Stanway, Pat Price and Sarah Quinlan
At the end of her busy week Professor Price moderated and spoke at the GCR World Cancer Day Webinar. The webinar "Closing the Care Gap through Global Collaboration" featured expert presenters who shared insights on the current and future state of cancer care. They emphasised the importance of collaboration for successful outcomes. At the close of the meeting, Professor Price said:
It was hugely important today that we raise such issues and try and raise radiotherapy up in the agenda. We’re making great progress.