SOUTH West Beds MP Andrew Selous has welcomed a decision to include Anglia Cancer Network in a pilot scheme raising awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms.
The Department of Health says the network will be included in the pilot as part of the Be Clear On Cancer programme.
Early next year, Bedfordshire people will have a chance to improve their awareness of ovarian cancer.
The hope is that this will lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Mr Selous, a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on ovarian cancer, said: “I am very pleased by this decision, and look forward to seeing the impact it will have in Bedfordshire.
“The recognition that ovarian cancer is a major health concern is long overdue, so this is an important step forward, and one that could potentially save many women’s lives.”
Annwen Jones, chief executive of Target Ovarian Cancer, said: “Currently only one per cent of women in the East of England are very confident of spotting a symptom of ovarian cancer, demonstrating the desperate need for a national awareness programme.
“We look forward to seeing the initial pilot outcomes during 2013 and hope a national campaign will follow soon after.”