SOUTHAMPTON cancer patients are to benefit from a £1m appeal launched by local charity Tenovus.

The organisation's Diamond Appeal marks the 60th anniversary of Tenovus, which has research laboratories at Southampton General Hospital, and aims to improve

cancer treatment with the building of the Tenovus Oncology Ward at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Money raised from the appeal will fund a much-needed extension to the existing oncology wards, where patients from all over Hampshire are treated.

The appeal will also allow the charity to fund current cancer research laboratory projects in Southampton and a Tenovus welfare rights officer for cancer patients.

Tenovus-funded scientist Prof Terry Hamblin, appeal chairman, said: "In the last ten years we've doubled the number of patients being treated in this department, but the building was built in 1984 and has not been extended since.

"We don't have the right facilities for doing the right job that we need to do. We've increased the number of nurses and the number of doctors, but we haven't increased the space they work in.

"One person in three is going to have cancer - there isn't a family in the country that's not touched by cancer. We've got a catchment of a quarter of a million people. In three years we want £4 from every person in the catchment area."

It is hoped the new wards, which are to be built on the balcony next to the existing oncology wards, will be up and running within three years.

Prof Hamblin added: "We will probably be treating some more patients, but we will be treating them more quickly, more comfortably.

"You can't really have a waiting list for cancer chemotherapy, it's not appropriate. That's our first priority, to stop people waiting for their treatment."

To donate to the Tenovus Diamond Appeal, or to find out how you can help the fight against cancer call Estelle Wilson on 01202 422295 or 07968 232593. Alternatively, e-mail estelle.wilson@tenovus.com.

To discuss any cancer issues call the Tenovus Freephone Cancer Helpline on 0808 808 1010. Information is also available on the Tenovus website at www.tenovus.com.