Patients are missing out on latest treatments for cancer
CANCER patients in parts of the counc-try are missing out on the latest radiotherapy techniques amid a shortage of staff and expertise.
Figures are said to show that in the north of Scotland fewer than 20 per cent of patients suffering one type of cancer received modern, precision radiotherapy.
Meanwhile, in Glasgow it is understood 80 per cent of patients suffering the same disease received the more accurate treatment, in line with accepted standards.
The equipment to carry out what has been dubbed “advanced radiotherapy” is in place in cancer centres across the nation. However, gaps in staffing and expertise in some areas are thought to be affecting how many patients are given precision therapy, which blasts the tumour but subjects surrounding tissue to lower doses.
It means the multi-million pound technology is not being used to its full potential and some patients may be missing out on the benefits that can include fewer radiotherapy sessions and fewer side effects.
Professor Alan Rodger, former medical director of the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, said: “It is a nonsense we are not able to do this in five cancer centres because all of them have got the equipment.”
In Australia, he said, even small satellite centres were delivering intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), which precisely targets tumour cells.
Describing money just announced in the new Scottish cancer strategy for recruitment and training in radiotherapy as important, Mr Rodger said: “They could have started that years ago and should have and have not.
“We are, as a result, well behind many countries in offering what the Cabinet Secretary for Health calls ‘advanced’ techniques and what I and many others see as standard.
“The question is, ‘When can we expect to see equal access to such treatments all across Scotland?’”
According to the Scottish Government figures are not available showing how the proportion of patients who get advanced
radiotherapy varies nationwide. However, The Herald has been told some figures have been collated that “shine the light on some massive inequalities”. This includes one tumour type where four times the number of patients receive IMRT in Glasgow compared to the north.
Professor Rodger said in England information on access to radiotherapy had been collected “for years”.
The Scottish Government’s cancer strategy for the next five to 10 years, which announced £100m of investment, including £50m for radiotherapy, suggests they are aware the standard of treatment varies by postcode.
The strategy says: “We can and must do more to reduce inequities in cancer treatments. New processes are expected to improve access to medicines, however challenges remain in providing equitable access to high quality surgery and radiotherapy.”
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “Initial conversations with the cancer community has highlighted some areas of inequity in access, in particular for advanced forms of radiotherapy. This is why we are committed to driving forward work to improve this, through our newly launched cancer strategy.”