Cancer patients waiting for potentially live-saving cancer treatments, UK

(2005-05-30)

UK cancer patients are waiting too long for new cancer treatments, according to a 'Dossier of Delay' compiled by cancer information charity CancerBACUP. The Dossier reveals how long it will take for 12 new cancer treatments to be recommended by NICE and made widely available to patients. For many the delays mean the treatment will not be available in time to help them.

One, a breast cancer treatment called Herceptin, was last week shown to have produced remarkable results in women with early breast cancer, yet it could be 2009 before the treatment is widely available on the NHS under the current NICE process. (The treatment received publicity due to Kylie Minogue's breast cancer diagnosis). NICE guidance on a colon cancer treatment called Eloxatin, which can give a 23% reduction in the risk of the cancer returning within two years, is not due until May 2006. Guidance on a third, Cetuximab for head and neck cancers, which can give a 7% increase in survival rates over 2 years, is not due until 2009. This week NICE told CancerBACUP and others that the delay over Cetuximab and four other cancer treatments was due to funding and staffing issues.

Treatments take an average of a year to go through the NICE appraisal process, although some cancer drugs can take up to two years. CancerBACUP says these additional delays are unacceptable, and is calling for NICE to introduce a system of fast-tracking for cancer treatments which have shown significant results, such as Herceptin.

"When people read about these treatments in the newspapers, they ring us up wanting to know how soon they will be available," says CancerBACUP Chief Executive Joanne Rule. "Sadly, we have to tell them that it could take years before they are widely available on the NHS. For many, that could be too late. We have to find a way of speeding up the time it takes for NICE to approve all cancer treatments and introduce a fast-tracking process for exceptional cancer treatments." She added "These delays compound existing problems of postcode prescribing of cancer treatments which we have highlighted in the past."

1. Dossier of Delay available to download below, or from CancerBACUP's press office from Daisy O'Clee on 0207 920 7219 or Jill Morrell on 0207 920 7220 or email jmorrell@cancerbacup.org or doclee@cancerbacup.org

Dossier of Delay
Download File (67.58 Kb) Word Doc

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1) CancerBACUP is the only national charity that specialises in providing information on all types of cancer.

2) All CancerBACUP services are free to cancer patients, their relatives and friends.

3) CancerBACUP is part of the Department of Health Coalition for Cancer Information, which aims to ensure cancer information is of a high standard and widely accessible.

4) CancerBACUP Freephone Information Service: 0808 800 1234 (Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm). CancerBACUP Centres can be found in St Bartholomew's Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital, the London Clinic, The Christie Hospital, Nottingham City Hospital, Walsgrave Hospital and the Torbay Hospital Annexe. The charity's interactive website can be found at http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk