MORE must be done to help sufferers beat breast cancer, a Bolton MP has said.

David Crausby, who represents Bolton North East, spoke out last night after attending the annual Parliamentary reception of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity in Westminster.

The latest government statistics show 48,417 women and 371 were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.

Between 2005 and 2009, 85 per cent of women in England had survived their breast cancer for five years or more.

The rate is much higher on mainland Europe and in the USA, whose five-year survival rates have climbed as high as 93 per cent and 97 per centre respectively in recent years.

Analysts have said the NHS spends less on cancer-fighting drugs, employs fewer cancer doctors and does not screen as well as those countries.

Mr Crausby said: “I was shocked to hear that the UK’s breast cancer survival rates have fallen behind other European countries.

“As a result, we’re letting more than 1,000 lives slip away from us every year.

“More than 48,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK and I want to make sure that everyone in Westminster and Bolton knows we can do much more.”

Breakthrough Breast Cancer chief executive Chris Askew said: “The continuing fight against breast cancer can only be successful if the challenge we set in Westminster is taken up by each of these MPs tomorrow.

“The women and families affected by breast cancer in Bolton are relying on them to work with the local health services to help achieve survival rates that we can be proud of.”