Porthmadog councillors have backed a campaign to get a regional cancer diagnosis hub in the county.

Plaid Cymru’s is calling on the Welsh Government to create a centre in Gwynedd to speed upcancer diagnosis.

The party wants the government to establish a rapid diagnostic regional hub in the county following the release of UK mortality figures which reveals that cancer is the single biggest cause of death in north Wales, with 2,291 of the 8,156 recorded deaths attributable to the disease.

And now Porthmadog Town Council has added its weight to the bid.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru county councillor and Dwyfor Meirionnydd candidate for the National Assembly, is helping to front the campaign.

He has said that successful centres elsewhere in Wales should be replicated in Gwynedd.

“The Welsh Government have piloted rapid diagnostic centres in the two of the south Wales health board areas and they’ve been hailed a massive success,” he told the Cambrian News.

“Research shows that Rapid Diagnosis Centres reduces time until diagnosis from 84 days to six days. Patients in Dwyfor Meirionnydd and across north Wales deserve parity of service, which is why the Welsh Government should invest in the development of diagnostic centres here to ensure early diagnosis and better outcomes for our patients.”

Cllr Gwynfor hopes an open letter he has written will gain support for the campaign.

“I’m asking for as many people as possible to sign the open letter and then it will be presented to the Welsh Government, calling on them to fund a centre in Gwynedd.”

“So far 650 people have signed the online open letter. It shows there is a demand and a need for the centre. We know that earlier diagnosis gives people a better chance.

Cllr Gwynfor added: “At the moment in Gwynedd you see your GP who makes a referral to see a specialist, but this can take around 30 weeks and I’ve even heard of some waiting up to 60 weeks and that’s too long. You need that early diagnosis.”

Cllr Gwynfor has written to councils across the county asking for their support and Porthmadog Town Council has decided to back the campaign.

Councillor for Porthmadog East Nia Jeffreys said: “I am very pleased the town council has supported the motion, not just from Plaid Cymru but that it received cross party support too.

“I call on the Welsh Government to move forward for the sake of those of those affected by cancer in Gwynedd and the wider area.

“Cancer has touched many of our lives in Gwynedd and we know the importance of early diagnosis for this serious disease. I welcome the decision to bring the cancer diagnostics centre to Allt Wen.

“It would be the perfect location as it is so close to Gwynedd. People will be able to come from across the county.”

Porthmadog Town Council will write to the Welsh Government to support the campaign.