Leading cancer campaigner Professor Pat Price calls on the Government to tackle the “cancer recession” as concerns grow that nearly 60,000 cancer patients miss treatment targets over the past year in England
Ahead of the cancer waiting time data, which is due to be released at 09:30am on 11th August, #CatchUpWithCancer and leading oncologist Professor Pat Price warn of the need for urgent action to tackle the significant “cancer recession”. #CatchUpWithCancer forecast that nearly 60,000 cancer patients have missed the crucial treatment targets for time-critical cancer care over the past year. The Campaign is calling on the Government and Department of Health and Social Care to make a commitment to tackle this cancer backlog and recession by investing in crucial cancer treatment capacity services, particularly radiotherapy. International research warns that every four weeks of treatment delay can lead to a 10% reduction in survival rates.
The #CatchUpWithCancer campaign has labelled this a cancer recession since there has been a significant and consecutive quarterly decline in cancer treatment waiting times over the past year. This current target in England states that no more than 15% of cancer patients should wait more than 62 days between the date the hospital receives an urgent referral for suspected cancer and the start of the treatment.
Professor Pat Price, leading oncologist, Chair of the charity Radiotherapy UK and co-founder of the #CatchUpWithCancer campaign, said:
“The cancer backlog crisis has now spiralled into a devastating cancer recession, that will cost thousands of lives. For every four weeks of delayed treatment, there is a 10% reduction in survival rates. I am shocked that nearly tens of thousands of cancer patients over the past year have missed the recommended treatment target, and are therefore receiving compromised care. Many cancer patients are dying prematurely and needlessly by missing out on treatment targets. This crisis will not be solved unless crucial cancer treatment services, particularly radiotherapy, is given the proper investment it needs to realise its full potential. Until then, we cannot catch up with this growing cancer recession.”
