Cancer charity blasts chemotherapy figures

MINISTERS have been urged to “do better” for cancer sufferers after research found UK patients are less likely to be treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy compared to other countries.

Analysis of data from more than 780,000 patients found 32% underwent chemotherapy in the UK, compared with 39% in Norway and Canada and 42% in Australia.

One in five received radiotherapy here, compared with 23% in Norway, 24% in Australia and 26% in Canada.

The study, carried out by the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, was part-funded by Cancer Research UK.

Timing

Michelle Mitchell, the charity’s chief executive, said: “The UK should be striving for world-leading cancer outcomes.

“All cancer patients, no matter where they live, deserve to receive the highest quality care.

“But this research shows that UK patients are treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy less often than comparable countries.

“When it comes to treating cancer, timing really matters. Behind these statistics are people waiting anxiously to begin treatment that is key to boosting their chances of survival.

“With a general election on the horizon, the UK Government has a real opportunity to buck the trends we see in this research and do better for people affected by cancer.”

The Daily Express is campaigning for the Government to ramp up investment in radiotherapy. Last week, Stephen Fry urged people to back a petition from Radiotherapy UK’s Catch Up With Cancer campaign that calls for an end to treatment delays. More than 100,000 people signed within 24 hours after the comedian’s appeal, taking the total number of signatories to more than 567,000.

Sarah Quinlan, charity director at Radiotherapy UK, said: “There is a huge public appetite for urgent change to the cancer treatment pathway so that patients can live longer and better.

“Almost 100,000 signatures in 24 hours and more than half a million overall shows that the British public is behind the Catch Up With Cancer campaign and willing it to succeed.

“The Government can change the fate of cancer patients, and in doing so show the country that cancer treatment is a top priority that will be tackled head on.”

Investment

Researcher Professor Georgios Lyratzopoulos, of University College London, said: “We already know that cancer survival in the UK has fallen behind countries like Australia and Canada, and this analysis of two key treatments highlights one of the likely reasons.”

The findings, published in The Lancet Oncology, related to patients diagnosed with eight types of cancer in the UK, Canada, Norway and Australia between 2012 and 2017.

A Department of Health spokesman said: “These figures cover only the period from 2012 to 2017.

“Since then, we have made significant investment in diagnosis and treatment, including £162million towards radiotherapy equipment and £2.3billion to launch 160 Community Diagnostic Centres.”