LABOUR’S parliamentary candidate for Worcester has expressed support for her political party’s new pledge of a one-week cancer test guarantee.

Councillor Joy Squires has backed the campaign after health statistics revealed the number of patients waiting more than six week for cancer tests in the Arden, Herefordshire and Worcestershire region rose to 218 this August compared to just 125 in the same month last year.

Labour has promised that NHS patients in England will wait no longer than one-week for cancer tests and results by 2020, with a levy on tobacco firms raising the £750 million needed over five years to fund the scheme.

Cllr Squires said: “Like most people in Worcester I’m fed up of this government undermining and under-funding our health service.

“The staff at Worcestershire Royal Hospital do a great job but they need our help if the NHS is going to meet the health challenges of the 21st century.

“That’s why I’m backing Labour’s pledge to guarantee that NHS patients in England will wait no longer than one-week for cancer tests and results by 2020.

“Early diagnosis means treatment is more likely to be successful so this is an essential pledge if we’re going to lead the fight against cancer and save countless lives in our area.”

Cllr Squires has also backed Ed Miliband’s ambition for the health service to have the best cancer survival rates in Europe, which could save up to 10,000 lives a year.