Are cancer patients being ‘abandoned’ by the NHS?

CANCER patients are still at risk of the disease returning for years after their treatment on the NHS ends, a study suggests.

Researchers looked at more than two million US cancer survivors to determine the danger period during which they remained at ‘high risk’.

But when the figures are compared with how NHS patients are treated, follow-up appointments conclude before this ‘danger period’ ends.

The study suggests ovarian cancer patients should see an oncologist for nine years – when they only do so for five years in England.

Meanwhile, lung cancer patients are getting five years of follow-up when they are recommended by the researchers to have seven years of appointments. Joyce Robins, director of Patient Concern, said: ‘This is such a lifechanging disease and to think that after recovering you’re on your own is very scary. It’s terrifying that cancer patients are being abandoned like this. People should be getting the full followup they deserve at the time when they are still at high-risk.’

Respiratory physician Dr Richard Russell, a medical adviser to the British Lung Foundation, said: ‘It’s unacceptable that we don’t have an evidence- based time frame for follow-up for such a high-risk disease.

‘There is an urgent need to clarify this data in a UK population.’

The study on follow-up appointments for cancer patients will be presented today at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual conference in Chicago.

The University of Texas monitored more than 2.3million cancer patients in the US and plotted how long their risk of dying remained abnormally high. Dr Robert Dood, lead author of the study from the University of Texas, said: ‘This study highlights the importance of monitoring some cancer patients for extended periods. Failing to monitor patients at greatest risk means opportunities to save their lives may be missed.’

The researchers found the exact danger period for ovarian cancer is nine years. It is seven years for lung cancer and colon cancer. The British Lung Foundation said those with lung cancer receive follow-ups for five years as standard. The charity Target Ovarian Cancer said patients also only receive five years of follow-ups.

Those with colon cancer are monitored for up to five years under the national guidance, with an option for further study, but the British Society of Gastroenterology says those with less severe polyps might be seen for only a year or three years.

An NHS England spokesman said: ‘ People diagnosed with cancer benefit from a personalised care and support package, making sure that patients get the right follow-up support after treatment.’

A spokesman for NICE, which sets guidelines for the health service, said: ‘Our range of guidance provides advice on how doctors can work with patients to find out what they would prefer so together they decide what is appropriate for their circumstances.’