Labour MP Wes Streeting To Undergo Treatment For Kidney Cancer
3 min read
Labour MP Wes Streeting has said he will be taking time off work for treatment after he was diagnosed with kidney cancer in April.
The Ilford North MP said the news had come as an "enormous shock" but said his prognosis was "very good and I should make a full recovery".
The 38-year-old MP, who was recently made shadow secretary for child poverty, said he would be taking time away from Westminster from next week and would not return until he had made a full recovery.
"I've got some personal news that I want to share with you because I'm going to be away from work for a while and I want to tell you why," he said in a video message on Friday.
"Back in early March, I went into hospital with a kidney stone and at the time a scan identified a lump on the same kidney.
"Around a month later in April, unfortunately that lump was diagnosed as kidney cancer.
"While receiving a cancer diagnosis at the age of 38 has come as an enormous shock, the good news is because of that kidney stone the cancer has been caught early, my prognosis is very good and I should make a full recovery.
"But it does mean I have to take time off work for treatment."
Streeting paid tribute to his family and friends for their support, whilst also thanking Labour activists who had "without knowing it" helped take his mind off the diagnosis while out campaigning for England's local elections.
He added: "I will be taking time off from the end of next week and during that time, if you're an Ilford North constituent and you need my help as your local MP you should continue to contact my office as normal and my brilliant team of staff will be there to support you.
"But in the meantime I'm going to be following doctors' orders. My family have made it very clear and actually so has Keir that I will not be coming back until I have made a full recovery.
"Hopefully that won't be too long but in the meantime, bear with me and thank you very much in advance for your support."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the "thoughts of the whole Labour Party are with Wes and his family at this difficult time".
"Wes is a friend and a colleague and I know he'll come back from this even stronger and more determined than ever before," he added.
"I can't wait to see him back in Parliament as soon as possible."
The news also prompted well-wishes from MPs across the political spectrum, with Conservative minister Nadhim Zahawi, saying: "Wes, thinking of you. Best of luck my friend. Wishing you the very best, I am certain you will return stronger and in good health."
SNP MP Stewart McDonald added: "My best wishes to you, Wes. Really sorry to hear this."
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