Our policy on cancer surgery

Surgery continues to be the foundation of treatment for many cancers and is often the first line of cancer care.

However, there are still variations in surgical activity across the country which need to be addressed.

The 2007 National Lung Cancer Audit showed that the number of people receiving surgery for their lung cancer in different parts of the UK varies from less than 5 per cent to more than 25 per cent. The proportion of patients undergoing potentially curative surgery is lower in the UK than in other westernised countries.

In June 2008, Cancer Research UK funded researchers showed that a substantial proportion of rectal cancer patients are receiving inappropriate surgical care because of wide variations in practice across England. A link was also identified between mortality rates and the number of procedures carried out by individual surgeons in a given year.

Advances in surgical techniques have also seen an increase in the use of less invasive procedures which can reduce the length of time patients need to spend in hospital after their treatment.

We believe that a more co-ordinated approach to cancer surgery needs to be developed. This approach should focus on ensuring that the most up to date surgical techniques are being used consistently and by accredited surgeons who have completed appropriate training.

We are therefore calling on the Government to address variations in cancer surgery, and ensure that all cancer patients across the UK get access to the most appropriate surgery for their condition.