AN MP has warned the Prime Minister more must be done to tackle the backlog of cancer cases to ensure the country does not face a second health crisis.

Tatton MP Esther McVey fears without urgent action, as Covid wards empty, those beds will be filled with more and more cancer patients.

She is one of a group of MPs urging Boris Johnson to act and deliver a radical national plan, overseen by a dedicated minister, to ensure cancer patients get the diagnostics and treatment they need.

Ms McVey said: "I know from speaking to constituents how concerned people are about cancer treatments and delays.

"We cannot create a cancer crisis at the expense of dealing with Covid.

"One in two of us are expected to get cancer in our lifetime and we need to be doing everything we can to ensure people get the treatment they need, when they need it to fight this awful disease.

"That is why I have been working with Professor Pat Price, one of my constituents who heads up #CatchUpWithCancer and suggested she work with other cancer charities so everyone has the same message for Government.

"I am delighted that earlier this month everyone came together for a cancer conference to push forward this vitally important message."

Medical professionals are also supporting the call and want Government to implement seven recommendations put forward by the cancer community and cross party MPs.

The recommendations include the need to recognise the urgency of the backlog and deliver a new radical national plan, driven from ministerial level and backed by investment in equipment, technology, IT and workforce and to sweep away bureaucracy that restricts cancer care capacity.

Leading oncologist and co-founder of #CatchUpWithCancer, Professor Pat Price said: "The cancer community calling on the Prime Minister to take this on as a national priority.

"The entire cancer pathway needs urgently restoring throughout the country, staff are exhausted and we simply don’t have the capacity to catch up.

"The human cost of failing to act is simply unacceptable. And the economic cost of failing to act will undoubtedly be greater than putting it right.

"It simply doesn’t have to be this way. The cancer community stands ready to help. Clinicians are brimming with ideas and innovative solutions.

"But we won’t beat the backlog by talking our way out, or by asking NHS staff to 'just work harder'.

"We need proper investment, backed by the political leadership to ensure that investment gets to where it is needed most.

"The Prime Minister has shown what can be done with the vaccine programme.

"Now, it’s a national imperative that he works with us to do the same for cancer."

It is feared every four week delay in cancer treatment reduces survival rates by an average of ten per cent.

Ms McVey said she will keep making the case to Government to ensure her constituents get the treatment they need in a timely manner.