Jeremy Hunt’s cancer scare: Tory MP reveals he’s being treated for ‘mild’ form of disease

Jeremy Hunt announced that he is cancer-free.

Deputy Tory, chair of the House of Commons health committee, said he had a “minor” form of the disease, but that it had “resolved”.

And now she’s good enough to compete in a charity contest next month.

“Every member of my family has had cancer,” the 55-year-old added. “So it touched my family so dramatically, and I know it touched a lot of families.

‘My work on the health selection committee has shown me that there is a lot we can do to improve cancer survival.

“They’re getting better, but the more we do to raise funds and raise awareness, the more lives we’ll save.”

Mr Hunt, MP for South West Surrey, did not elaborate on the types of cancer he or his family members had.

His brother Charlie, founder of mattress company Soak & Sleep, took to Twitter last year to raise awareness about sarcoma, a rare cancer that usually affects the limbs.

Hunt, who spearheaded efforts to overthrow Boris Johnson, served as health minister from 2012 to 2018, overseeing several expansions of the Cancer Medicines Fund, which provides early access to care.

The father of three is an advocate of early cancer detection and has been strongly critical of the government’s success in filling gaps in the NHS cancer workforce.

Mr Hunt will lead Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life this summer alongside cancer survivor Rod Pluthero and fellow Tory Angela Richardson.

They also support the campaign to establish an innovation center for cancer and surgery at the Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford.

Ms Richardson, 47, representing the city, said: “There will be very few of us who will not be affected by cancer.

“One in two people develop it at some point in our lives, and research into successful treatments and disease prevention is a top health priority.

“Jeremy has been an advocate and advocate for cancer research, advanced treatments and best patient experiences for many years.

“I am delighted to be able to join him in the Race for Life and continue this campaign together to ensure the best possible outcomes for cancer patients in the future.”

Mr Pluthero from Haslemere, Surrey, received successful treatment for tongue cancer in 2016 and 2018.

The 73-year-old patient was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the right mandible in 2020 and was operated for ten hours. Surgeons used the lower leg bone to replace part of the jaw.

Earlier this month, Mr. Hunt dreamed of leaving his London home on a bicycle after Boris Johnson’s vote of no confidence.

By joining Race for Life, people are funding research into life-saving discoveries, less harsh treatments, and ways to educate people about their life choices.

“They also help keep loved ones together longer, monitor people reach their important birthdays, and predict the day when all 200 cancers will be cured.” According to Cancer Research UK, half of people born in the UK after 1960 will develop cancer in their lifetime.

Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is a national 3km, 5km and 10km race series for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities.

The competitions are held alongside children’s activities and millions of pounds are raised each year.

“The Race for Life Guildford will be a fun, exciting, colourful, uplifting and memorable event this year,” said Lynn Daly, spokesperson for Cancer Research UK in the South East of England.

Mr. Hunt’s mother, former Navy nurse Lady Meriel Hunt, was a cancer survivor at the age of 80 before she died in January at the age of 84.

Instead of flowers, donations were requested from the Royal Surrey Cancer Center.