BASINGSTOKE MP Maria Miller has become a parliamentary ambassador for a leading breast cancer charity.

Mrs Miller has signed up to support Breast Cancer Now, which is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, and has warned that immediate action needs to be taken to stop the disease taking lives.

Nearly 12,000 women are dying from breast cancer each year in the UK – an average of 18 women a year in each parliamentary constituency.

The charity will be working alongside its 170 breast cancer ambassadors to help them take action to tackle breast cancer and to ensure that the UK’s most common cancer remains high on the political agenda.

It believes that by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer will live but only if action is taken now.

Mrs Miller said: “Too many women are still dying from breast cancer in the UK. We must act now if we are to finally put an end to deaths from the disease and I am therefore very proud to support Breast Cancer Now and their bold 2050 ambition.

“Together, we urgently need to put the spotlight back on this dreadful disease locally and nationally. By becoming a breast cancer ambassador, I will ensure that action is taken on behalf of the women and families affected by breast cancer within the local community of Basingstoke.”