But Ashley Dalton says it is ‘business as usual’
West Lancs MP Ashley Dalton(Image: PA)
MP Ashley Dalton has revealed she has been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer following surgery last summer. The Labour MP for West Lancashire, who was elected in 2023, has told her constituents that it is ‘business as usual’ following her diagnosis.
She confirmed that while there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, it is treatable. Describing ‘the best news she could have hoped for’, the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Health Secretary revealed that the surgery she underwent last July removed all detectable cancer cells, leaving her with “no evidence of disease”.
This means that whist Ms Dalton still has cancer that has metastasised beyond her breast, there are currently no identifiable tumours in her body. The MP said that because of this, she will not need to undergo any further treatment unless new cancer cells are identified.
However, she will be having regular scans to identify and treat new cancer deposits as quickly as possible. Despite the news, Ms Dalton has been clear with residents in her West Lancashire constituency that her office is working “business as usual”.
Ms Dalton was elected to represent West Lancs in 2023(Image: PA)
She says she has “recovered” from her surgery and is feeling well, despite calling recent months a “dark time”. As well as thanking the NHS teams who helped treat her, Ms Dalton has said that she has met with other women living with metastatic breast cancer in recent months.
She has also outlined her desire to work with breast cancer charities and to support organisations to raise awareness of metastatic breast cancer alongside continuing to carry out her duties representing people living in West Lancashire.