Member of Parliament for Hornchurch & Upminster and Shadow Science Secretary, Julia Lopez, has met with the Lobular Moon Shot project and is calling on Ministers to convene a cross-government meeting to advance research into invasive lobular breast cancer.
Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second most common form of breast cancer, accounting for around 15 per cent of all breast cancer diagnoses and approximately 8,500 new cases annually in the UK. Despite this, it remains significantly under-researched. It is frequently missed on standard mammography, presents with fewer of the clinical signs clinicians expect, and its patterns of recurrence and metastasis are poorly understood.
The Lobular Moon Shot project is calling for approximately £20 million in funding over five years to establish the basic science needed to unlock diagnostic and therapeutic advances. The project has the backing of 463 MPs across the House.
Despite this near-universal parliamentary support, Mrs Lopez has raised concerns that little progress has been made in turning agreement into action.
Mrs Lopez has written to Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, and Science Secretary, Liz Kendall, calling for a joint meeting bringing together both departments, the Lobular Moon Shot project, the Manchester Breast Centre, UK Research and Innovation (including the Medical Research Council), the National Institute for Health and Care Research, and other relevant clinical bodies.
A copy of Julia's submission to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology can be viewed below.
Mrs Lopez said:
"There is no political barrier to progress here - 463 MPs support this project, including the Leader of the Opposition. What is needed now is for Ministers to ensure the right organisations are in the room together to chart a path forward.
"I will continue to press for that meeting until we have a commitment from government. Patients with invasive lobular breast cancer cannot afford for this to remain stuck in departmental referral loops."
