BBC's tumour diary praised by MPs

Ivan Noble - whose column was praised by the MPs

A BBC News Online column by Ivan Noble, detailing his experiences after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour has been commended by MPs.

Don Foster and Bob Spink put down an Early Day Motion calling the diary, which has run since September 2002, "sensitive and compelling".

Ivan's story has been followed by many thousands of people worldwide.

He is currently recovering from his third round of brain surgery at home with his family.

I've always hoped that the column will help take away the fear Ivan Noble

Mr Don Foster, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and Bob Spink, Conservative MP for Castle Point put down the EDM.

It praises Ivan for "his courage in sharing with the wider public his harrowing but inspiring personal experiences".

It adds the MPs believe his online diary "will widen understanding about this form of cancer, and will encourage others to discuss their experiences of cancer and to draw strength from those exchanges".

'Talking helps'

Ivan was diagnosed with cancer in August 2002. He made the decision to share his experiences with BBC News Online readers.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of people around the world have contacted the site after reading about his progress.

Ivan, who is set to undergo another course of chemotherapy following his surgery, said he was delighted by the MPs' praise for his diary.

He added: "I've always hoped that the column will help take away the fear - that's always been the biggest battle for me.

"If it does help other people talk, then that's fantastic. Talking has helped me.

"You always want to make something good out of something bad.

"All the feedback from people demonstrates that you can do that."

'Enormously beneficial'

Mr Foster told BBC News Online: "I was impressed by what I read, and I think many people will take a great deal from it.

"I've had cancer myself, and it concerns me that there still is a myth about cancer."

He said more people were surviving cancer, and living normal lives after being diagnosed.

"Seeing examples of real life cases of people with cancer is enormously beneficial," he added.