The wife of former Old Bexley and Sidcup MP has praised the Prime Minister following his visit to a lung cancer screening site in Sutton. 

Cathy Brokenshire, the wife of the late MP James Brokenshire, was “delighted” to see that Rishi Sunak made it his “number one priority” in visiting the Targeted Lung Health Check yesterday. 

James, who previously worked with the Prime Minister, died of lung cancer last year in October.

Since then, Cathy has worked closely with the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation by becoming a trustee of the charity.

Last month, the National Screening Committee recommended the introduction of targeted screening for lung cancer. 

Cathy is “hopeful” that Rishi Sunak’s visit will mark “a step closer” to the implementation of a national lung cancer screening programme.

She explained: “Rishi worked closely with my husband earlier in his career, and I know he was fully aware of how important lung cancer care was to James.

“I’d love to see our new Prime Minister throw his full support behind the recent recommendation by the NSC that we should have a national lung cancer screening programme.

“That would be the fulfilment of James’s dream, and mine.

“The evidence is there, and it’s clear – to save lives, we need to screen.’’

Paula Chadwick, chief executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, was thrilled to see the Prime Minister engaging with the public on a “hugely important” issue.

She said the charity "feared" that the recommendation from the National Screening Committee would be overlooked due to "political unrest" in recent months. 

Paula explained: “For too long lung cancer has been too low a priority, despite the fact that it affects thousands of lives every single year.

“The Government has spoken – often, and at great length - about the need for levelling up; today’s visit suggests that, finally, we may see action.”

More than 1,200 people have been diagnosed with cancer through screening pilots, according to Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

Around three-quarters of those diagnosed were detected at stages one and two, when the disease is most treatable with curative intent.

A spokesperson for the charity said a national screening programme could “significantly” improve the earlier detection of lung cancer and save thousands of lives.

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