Cancer Reform Strategy
Cancer Research UK welcomes the Cancer Reform Strategy
Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: "Cancer is the biggest cause of death in the UK and more than one in three people will develop the disease at some point in their lives. Each day around 800 people across the UK learn of a cancer diagnosis for the first time.
"It is great news that radiotherapy services will benefit from this significant investment of £130m. We have campaigned hard for the government to significantly increase the UK’s investment in radiotherapy capacity. These vital life-saving services offer the possibility of significantly improving survival rates in the UK. Half of all cancer patients receive radiotherapy and this funding should ensure that we have the capacity to deliver consistently across the country, without patients having to wait for long periods for treatment.
"We are also greatly encouraged by the announcement that further action on sunbeds is being considered – this is crucial because melanoma is one of the fastest rising cancers in the UK."
"Smoking remains the single biggest preventable cause of cancer and the commitment to go further on tobacco regulation is critical. The fact is that half of all smokers eventually die from cancer, or other smoking-related illnesses. And a quarter of smokers die in middle age -between 35 and 69. That’s an incredibly high toll. Any new regulation that helps reduce this and helps more people give up smoking must be welcomed."
"Cancer Research UK was one of the many expert groups involved in developing the strategy so we look forward to working with the NHS to deliver these recommendations. It’s vital that these proposals are followed through if we’re to become among the best in the world at treating cancer."
Harpal Kumar added: "We’re very encouraged that the time between receiving a cancer diagnosis and completing treatment is to be speeded up, not just for new drugs, but also for radiotherapy and for all stages of cancer treatment. This step, which will require considerable investment, will maximise survival chances and reduce anxiety for patients. But we need to ensure that the NHS has the extra money needed to meet these targets, particularly in radiotherapy where we know there are significant shortages at present."
After smoking, obesity is the biggest risk factor for cancer. An emphasis on obesity was welcomed but the charity said it remained to be seen whether the recommendations from the Government’s soon to be published obesity strategy will offer the comprehensive approach it wants to see.
"We welcome the commitment to ensuring that all cancer drugs, wherever possible, are assessed by NICE as soon as they are licensed. This will help put an end to the current situation where patients are left in limbo waiting many months, or even years, to find out if new treatments are to become available on the NHS."
December 2007
