According to government statistics obtained by the Sunday Express, meant for a study to be released in July, as many as one third of cancer patients in the United Kingdom are not being offered the kind of targeted, high-dose radiotherapy that could help them in their fight against cancer, despite the resources being available.
Although the Express is not specific, it does assert that not all of England's 28 cancer network regions use targeted radiotherapy.
The study was put together by the Government’s National Radiotherapy Implementation Group, and the leak of this information has resulted in comments from many of the leaders of the anti-cancer groups in England.
"We knew some people were missing out on the latest radiotherapy treatments but it’s very worrying to hear the extent to which this is happening. Newer, more precise radiotherapy equipment means patients experience fewer side-effects," said Sarah Woolnough, director of policy at Cancer Research UK, the largest cancer charity in the UK. "It is crucial that all patients be given access to the latest technology that could improve their treatment."
"It is scandalous people are dying when there is money available," said Health Select Committee member and Easington MP Grahame Morris. "The technology is proven and there is an under-spend in the Cancer Drugs Fund budget."
Although money has been set aside for radiation therapy, no guidelines are in place to dictate how or where the money should be spent.
Source: Sunday Express
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