Concerns have been raised by senior doctors responsible for overseeing cancer care in England and Wales about deficiencies in NHS services leading to almost half of patients not receiving appropriate treatment for certain types of cancer. The National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre (NatCan) provided evidence to the BBC, pinpointing issues with prostate, kidney, and colon cancers in particular. Variability between hospitals was noted, with challenges in accessing nationally-recommended treatments posing a risk to patients’ lives. The group conducts audits on nine major cancers that make up 80% of cases, revealing shortfalls across various cancer types and stages.
Data shared with the BBC reveals significant gaps in treatment, including 30% of high-risk prostate cancer patients not receiving curative surgery or radiotherapy, 34% of stage three colon cancer patients not getting chemotherapy post-surgery within three months, and 50% of stage four renal cell carcinoma patients not receiving drug treatment. NatCan emphasized that while individual patient choices and health status could play a role, they couldn’t fully explain the extent of the shortcomings and inconsistencies seen among hospitals. Both the English and Welsh governments have acknowledged the need to enhance services, with England currently developing a new cancer strategy aimed at transforming services.
The story of Ian Pattison sheds light on the importance of receiving appropriate treatment. Diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer in 2020 at the age of 65, Pattison underwent hormone therapy and radiotherapy as recommended, leading to remission at 70. He expressed gratitude for access to specialized cancer care in Newcastle, crediting the treatment for his improved health. Prof Ajay Aggarwal from NatCan expressed concern about the number of patients missing out on vital treatment, stressing the potential for significant impact if existing treatments were utilized more effectively. The president of the Royal College of Surgeons echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for consistent delivery of high-quality cancer care across the NHS.
Cancer charities have emphasized the urgency of addressing these shortcomings, with Macmillan Cancer Support calling for prioritizing variation reduction in the upcoming national cancer strategy. Concerns were raised about disparities in care based on location and demographic factors, potentially hindering patients’ chances of survival. Prostate Cancer UK highlighted the urgency of change to ensure patients receive optimal care for improved outcomes. NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have pledged to address these issues and work towards equitable access to cancer care for all patients, regardless of where they reside. Plans for a new cancer strategy are underway, promising a transformation of cancer services in the near future as efforts to improve cancer care continue
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