Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas teamed up with cancer awareness nurses at Westminster this week (Wednesday 27th June) as Cancer Research UK's Cancer Awareness Roadshow made a special stop outside the Houses of Parliament.

Caroline climbed on board to learn more about the steps people can take to reduce their risk of cancer and the importance of spotting it early.

She said: "Treatment for cancer is often simpler and more likely to be effective when the condition is diagnosed at an early stage.

"So I wholeheartedly support this campaign by Cancer Research UK to help people to spot cancer early and spread the word that early diagnosis can save lives."

Senior Cancer Awareness Roadshow nurse, Ceri Eames, said: 

"We were delighted to have Caroline on board this week helping us to get this crucial message across.

"More people are surviving cancer than ever before, but thousands of cancer deaths could still be prevented each year if more cancers were diagnosed and treated at an early stage."

"If you notice any unusual or persistent changes in your body, visit your GP without delay. If it is something serious then finding it early could make all the difference."

Smoking is the most important preventable cause of cancer and is responsible for one in four deaths from the disease in the UK.

Caroline Lucas MP is also backing Cancer Research UK's new campaign - The answer is plain - which aims to discourage young people from starting to smoke.

Research shows that striking logos and distinctive packet designs make cigarettes more appealing to children, so the charity is calling for cigarettes to be sold in plain packs which all look the same and are stripped of their attractive branding.

Sarah Woolnough, Director of Policy, said:

"Around 157,000 11-15 year olds start smoking every year so we must do more to make cigarettes less appealing to children.

"Girls are attracted to brands which have long, slim cigarettes with sophisticated names and glamorous packaging, while boys tend to respond to designs with a rugged, macho image. In an age when any parent tries to teach their children about the dangers of this deadly addiction, cigarette packs are sending a very different message.

"Over 80% of adults in the UK believe that children shouldn't be exposed to tobacco marketing* so we're urging MPs and their constituents to help us end the packet racket and give millions of children one less reason to start smoking."

People in Brighton and Hove are being urged to sign Cancer Research UK's campaign petition at http://www.theanswerisplain.org/ before the Government closes its consultation on plain cigarette packaging on the 10^th July.

ENDS

Notes

- Since launching in 2006, in partnership with the Marie Keating Foundation, the Cancer Awareness Roadshow has seen more than 250,000 visitors in over 200 cities and towns across the UK.

- To find out more about the Cancer Awareness Roadshow and how to detect cancer early visit http://www.cancerawarenessroadshow.org.uk/

- *Polling figure from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 4099 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 30th March - 2nd April 2012.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

- Over 220,000 people have now watched Cancer Research UK's hard-hitting short film that illustrates children's attraction to slickly designed cigarette packs at http://www.theanswerisplain.org.uk/.

- The Cancer Research UK-funded report ‘The packaging of tobacco products' (Ford, A. 2012) is available at www.cancerresearchuk.org/tobacco