MP diagnosed with breast cancer for second time

Labour MP for West Lancashire Ashley Dalton was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014

An MP has said she has been diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time.

Labour MP for West Lancashire Ashley Dalton said her surgery in July for metastatic breast cancer had removed all detectable cancer cells.

She was first diagnosed with the disease in 2014 and underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Ms Dalton, a Parliamentary Private Secretary to Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, told her constituents that "currently there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, but it is treatable" and insisted she was working "business as usual".

'Dark time'

She said that while the cancer had spread beyond her breast, there were currently no identifiable tumours in her body.

Because of this, she will not need to undergo any further treatment unless new cancer cells are discovered in regular scans.

Ms Dalton said she had "recovered" from her surgery in the summer and was feeling well, despite calling recent months a "dark time".

As well as thanking the NHS teams which have treated and cared for her, Ms Dalton said she had met other women living with metastatic breast cancer.

Alongside her work representing her constituents, the Labour MP outlined her desire to work with breast cancer charities and support organisations to raise awareness of metastatic breast cancer.