Cancer Treatment Lag: Over 60,000 English Patients Miss Out on Vital Radiotherapy
London, UK – More than 60,000 cancer patients in England are not receiving the radiotherapy treatment they need, according to data highlighting a critical shortfall in cancer care. The alarming figures reveal systemic issues including under-investment, outdated equipment, and severe workforce shortages plaguing radiotherapy services across the country.
A letter sent to Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Friday by 91 radiotherapy leaders warned that the government’s forthcoming cancer plan risks failure without prioritized investment in radiotherapy. The leaders stated radiotherapy has been “held back by ancient under-investment and systemic under-prioritisation,” leading to regional inequalities and hindering technology adoption. They cautioned, ”If we fail to fund and deliver on radiotherapy, [the promise of the government’s cancer plan] will be broken before it even begins.”
Experts point to the UK’s lagging position on the global stage. professor Mark Lawler, chair of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, noted the UK trails behind countries like Denmark and France in both access and timeliness of radiotherapy, even falling behind Canadian provinces like Labrador and Newfoundland for lung cancer treatment.
dr.Stephen Harden, president of the Royal College of Radiologists, described “agonising radiotherapy delays” faced by most patients. He emphasized that while the government has invested in new linac radiotherapy machines, staff shortages prevent some cancer centers from offering treatment during evenings and weekends.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the delays, stating, “Too many cancer patients are waiting too long for radiotherapy treatment.” They highlighted a £70 million investment in upgrading radiotherapy machines and reported an increase of over 200 clinical radiologists, bringing the total to over 5,800. The department also stated that as July 2024, 160,000 more people have had cancer diagnosed or ruled out on time.
the government’s national cancer plan, forthcoming, is expected to detail further improvements to radiotherapy care, including exploring the use of artificial intelligence to accelerate treatment.
