AMMF calls for a Fairer Deal, Faster in Westminster
On 26th February 2025, during Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month, AMMF held a reception in The House of Commons, Westminster, to formally launch the next stage of the Rethink Liver Cancer campaign, calling for a Fairer Deal, Faster for people diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma.
The event, hosted by Mary Glindon MP, provided an opportunity to meet the Faces of Cholangiocarcinoma and hear talks by:
- Mary Glindon, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend
- Helen Morement, AMMF Chief Executive
- Katie Nicholl, Royal Correspondent for Vanity Fair & BBC
- Prof John Bridgewater, Consultant Medical Oncologist, UCLH
The reception was attended by 17 MPs/Peers, whilst several more sent aides as representatives. We also welcomed representatives from NHS England, pharmaceutical companies and expert healthcare providers.
Guests were provided with our 2024 ‘Rethink Liver Cancer’ White Paper and AMMF’s new campaign brochure which is calling for a Fairer Deal, Faster for people with cholangiocarcinoma. During this next stage of the Rethink Liver Cancer campaign, AMMF is campaigning for:
- Widespread adoption of up-to-date guidance on the diagnosis and management of CCA in all NHS hospitals, including the recently updated clinical guidelines published by the British Society of Gastroenterology.
- Expanded access across the NHS to the latest cancer detection technologies to help doctors find and treat CCA more quickly and accurately. For example, liquid biopsies can detect tumour cells in the blood, without invasive surgery, and can even detect DNA changes before a tumour develops.
- Fast and equitable access to specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of CCA within the NHS, no matter what their background or what part of the UK they are diagnosed in – ideally at regional centres of expertise with a high-volume cholangiocarcinoma case load.
- A standardised approach to monitoring for cancer recurrence in all NHS hospitals in all parts of the UK.
- Clear access to mental health support particularly for those diagnosed with inoperable CCA and, following treatment, to enable people to transition from the fear of dying to the possibilities of living as normal a life as possible.
- Faster and more equitable access to genomic tests to match patients with targeted treatments.
Acknowledgements
AMMF is extremely grateful to all our guests who attended and supported this special event at The House of Commons. We would like to thank all the charity’s supporters who wrote to their MPs and invited them to attend and learn more about cholangiocarcinoma.
AMMF would like to extend special thanks to Jane Washington-Evans for introducing and securing the sponsor for our event, Mary Glindon MP. Jane’s partner, Bob Blizzard MP, who served the Waveney constituency in Parliament from 1997-2010 sadly died from cholangiocarcinoma on 5 May 2022 at the age of 71.
The Westminster event in pictures…
