Damien Moore MP shows his support for skin cancer awareness campaign

THE MP for Southport, Damien Moore,  is supporting the charity, Melanoma Focus to raise awareness of melanoma skin cancer. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, accounting for 1% of all cancer deaths and killing 2,300 people in the UK per year.

Mr. Moore recently met with melanoma skin cancer specialists and patients with 1st hand experience of melanoma to discuss the importance of symptom awareness and skin protection in reducing the growing number of melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK.

Melanoma Focus is a national charity dedicated to providing a comprehensive and authoritative source of information for public and professionals alike, as well as supporting education and promoting research about melanoma.

Melanoma skin cancer is becoming more common in the UK with around 16,700 new cases every year (46 every day). Since the early 1990s incidence rates have more than doubled and in males, they have almost tripled. It is expected to continue to rise.

1 in 36 men and 1 in 47 women in the UK will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in their lifetime. Yet 86% of melanomas are preventable.

Damien Moore, MP for Southport, said:- "I find it very concerning that cases of this disease are rising across the UK, and so I am pleased to join MPs from across Parliament in encouraging people to take skin health seriously and protect themselves and their loved ones. I have been heartened talking to those working for the charity, Melanoma Focus, about the great work they do not only in Melanoma Awareness Month, but indeed across the year. Their fantastic work was well reflected in the words of the patients I met, and it is right that we look closely at what we can do to continue supporting those suffering from this terrible disease."

Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, then added:- "We are delighted that Mr. Moore shares our concerns about the rising melanoma skin cancer rates and is supporting Melanoma Awareness Month. Throughout the month of May, we will urge people to Be Smart About Skin Cancer by visiting their GP if they notice any unusual looking or changing moles and lesions and by wearing factor 30 (or higher) sunscreen from mid-March to mid-October. I’d like to thank Damien Moore for supporting our campaign."

TSSA backs fares cuts in Ireland and calls for Britain to follow suit

TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, has praised as:- "the right way forward" the Irish Government's commitment to continue cuts in public transport fares and urged Britain to follow suit. The comments from Cortes come after the Irish Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said he would be:- "very keen" to retain a 20% cut in public transport fares beyond this year.

Ahead of the Budget in October Martin said retaining fares at the current level was:- "something that makes sense in terms of climate change, the utilisation of public transport. It is important for young people in particular."

Fares for bus and rail travel; including Dublin's Trams; were all cut earlier this year for the remainder of 2022 amid growing financial pressure facing households.

Commenting, Cortes, said:- "I'm delighted to see this initiative from the Government in Dublin. It is the right way forward for a number of reasons. Retaining this cut in fares for public transport across the network not only helps build the country's economic recovery from Covid but does so in a way which emphasises the central role our rail and public transport play in tackling the climate emergency. Not only will the retention of this cut in fares help millions deal with the escalating cost of living crisis but it will directly lead to a recovery in post-Pandemic passenger numbers. It should also be a signal to the Government in Westminster that reducing services is a totally wrong headed approach. During the Pandemic we saw with crystal clarity the vital role played by our rail and bus network and the brave workers on the frontline. Ireland has the right approach to recovery and the British Government should follow that lead without delay."

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