Daily Express reporter Robert Fisk has been recognised with a Special Campaigning Award at the London Press Club Awards for his Cancer Care campaign, which calls for better mental health support for cancer patients.
Fisk, 47, was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer three and a half years ago. Last week, a doctor told him that his latest scan results flagged something requiring further investigation, though it could be weeks before he learns what is happening. The uncertainty adds worry for Fisk and his family, who must cope with the stress themselves.
Campaign Launch and Award Ceremony
Fisk launched the Cancer Care campaign to secure improved mental health support for people like him, despite often feeling unwell from regular chemotherapy. On Wednesday, he was undergoing another round of chemo and could not attend the London Press Club Awards at Stationers' Hall to collect the award.
His Express colleague Rob Virtue collected the award on his behalf from former Sunday Express editor David Wooding and read out a message from Fisk to the assembled media figures.
Fisk's Message on Mental Health Support
Fisk said: "For me the point of journalism is to make a difference in people's lives, whether that be letting them know about corrupt politicians, how wars thousands of miles away will affect their future, or whether the latest kebab shop in their area is worth the hype."
"And that's why I started the Daily Express's Cancer Care campaign. Cancer is the worst thing that most people will go through in their lives, but too often the NHS and the Government have failed to see that mental health issues are one of the main side-effects, both during and after treatment."
"For far too long, people have been diagnosed with cancer and then are expected to deal with the anxiety, the fear, and the not-knowing themselves effectively without any support. I'm absolutely delighted that, thanks to the campaign, the Government recognised this and is working to put mental health support at the heart of the treatment hospitals give to cancer patients."
"Sadly the statistics suggest that half of the people in this room will get cancer at some point in their lives. Instead of being like me and ignoring the signs something is wrong, get anything you are worried about checked out by your GP as soon as possible. And if you can't get an appointment, switch into journalism mode and turn it into a story - or even a campaign."
Government Promises and Next Steps
There have been promises that Fisk's Cancer Care approach will be adopted in the government's cancer plan, but the outcome remains pending. Earlier this week, Fisk wrote an article for the Express on how he is hoping not to die by Christmas.
In it, he said: "We at the Daily Express have said that cancer patients need mental health support both during and after treatment. Their mental health needs should be at the forefront of their oncology team's minds throughout the battle with the devastating disease."
"This should be integral to the Personal Cancer Plan, which former health secretary Wes Streeting pledged back in February. But time is marching on and we now need Yvette Cooper to step up and show us the detail. She must take Wes's words and turn them into action."
