“Urgent Action Needed: The Critical Importance of Swift Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment.”
The problem of delays in the diagnosis of cancer is of real concern. In a recent report from Cancer Research UK report in respect of delays in cancer treatment, a stark warning has been issued that the progress made in the fight against cancer is at risk of stalling, putting 20,000 lives a year in jeopardy by 2040. The report emphasizes the urgency for the UK to take bold actions in preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer.
The former cancer tsar, Professor Sir Mike Richards, highlighted the NHS’s struggle to meet targets for diagnosing 75 percent of cancers at early stages by 2028. The report advocates for a national cancer council, directly accountable to the prime minister, and a ten-year action plan. It calls for increased capital investment in cancer equipment and addressing a £1 billion research funding gap over the next decade.
Despite doubling cancer survival rates over the past 50 years, the UK lags behind comparable countries. The report points out that while England and Denmark improved cancer outcomes at a similar rate 30 years ago, Denmark has since surged ahead due to consistent funding and long-term strategies.
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The report stresses the need for swift action, as cancer waiting times are consistently missed across the UK, causing anxiety for patients and their families. The inequalities in cancer incidence and mortality, with over 33,000 cases annually linked to deprivation, underscore the urgency of addressing these disparities.
Professor Richards emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, stating that nearly half of all cancer patients are diagnosed at later stages, leading to poorer prognosis. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing challenges, with a decline in progress even before its onset.
To improve cancer outcomes, the report suggests expanding breast screening and starting bowel screening at age 50, with lower blood threshold referrals. Additionally, addressing the shortage of resources, such as CT scanners and medical professionals, is crucial in enhancing lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The report provides a main cause of concern in the UK when cancer is often detected at a late stage;
‘Almost half of cancers in England are diagnosed at a late stage, and around 1 in 5 cancer patients are diagnosed via emergency routes. Earlier cancer diagnosis saves lives, and we are calling on the UK Government to implement measures to reduce late-stage diagnosis in England.
The UK Government should transform and optimise cancer screening programmes and accelerate the roll-out of the lung cancer screening programme in England.
Cancer Research UK is also calling on the UK Government to address variation in treatment across different geographical areas and reduce inequalities in early diagnosis in England through targeted action plans.
Cancer Research UK warns that unless 2019 levels of spending on cancer research are maintained through 2033, a £1 billion gap may emerge, driven by inflation and low government investment. The report calls for raising the age of tobacco product sale and implementing advertising restrictions on unhealthy foods within a year of the next general election.
Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, emphasizes the gravity of the situation, stating that cancer is the defining health issue of our time. The report concludes that avoiding thousands of cancer deaths is possible with leadership, political will, investment, and reform, stressing the need for immediate action to save lives.
