Junior minister reveals breast cancer diagnosis

Claire Hughes said she was diagnosed earlier this month after finding a lump

A junior UK government minister has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Claire Hughes MP, who represents Bangor Aberconwy in north Wales for Labour, said she is scheduled to have surgery on Friday.

Ms Hughes, 46, who was recently promoted to the Wales Office, was diagnosed at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, earlier this month after finding a lump.

She described the treatment she received at the hospital as "phenomenal".

Ms Hughes was referred to a breast clinic for a "small lump" by her GP on the first day of parliamentary recess in September, but "wasn't really worried".

"I was initially quite blasé and assumed it would be a cyst or similar," she said.

Ms Hughes had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy on the day, and received the diagnosis the following week.

She will also undergo courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

"My care from the team at Ysbyty Gwynedd has been fantastic throughout," she said, adding she "can't speak highly enough of them."

In a video on social media, Ms Hughes said she will taking a "little bit of a step back" from work.

"I want you to know that I am still here to represent you, to fight for your behalf, and my team are all here to help with you," she said.

"I will be doing the absolute best I can to get over this, to get back and doing my role as your MP fighting for our future here in Bangor Aberconwy."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X that he and his wife Victoria were sorry to hear the news and wished her all the best.

"All of us in the Labour Party will be here for you as you recover," he said in a post on the platform.

Who is Claire Hughes?

Claire Hughes was elected as MP for Bangor Aberconwy in the 2024 general election.

She was born in Bangor and raised in nearby Penmaenmawr.

Following periods working in London and Spain she moved home and entered politics.

She was promoted twice during the September reshuffle prompted by Angela Rayner's resignation - first as treasury whip for nine days, then to hold both a junior minister position in the Wales Office and as an assistant whip in the Commons.