Study Warns of Cancer Therapy Access Gap in the UK
Recent research conducted by experts at UCL has revealed concerning disparities in cancer treatment access and subsequent survival rates between the UK and comparable countries.
The analysis, encompassing data from over 780,000 patients diagnosed with eight types of cancer between 2012 and 2017 across the UK, Australia, Norway, and Canada, indicates that the UK lags behind by approximately 10 to 15 years in terms of cancer survival rates.
Key findings from the study highlight significant differences in the rates of chemotherapy and radiotherapy administration among patients in the UK compared to those in Australia, Norway, and Canada. Specifically, the research points out that UK patients were notably less likely to undergo these crucial treatments.
Moreover, even for those who did receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy, prolonged wait times were observed before the commencement of treatment, potentially allowing the cancer to progress further, thereby affecting intervention outcomes.
The study scrutinized patients diagnosed with oesophageal, stomach, colon, rectal, liver, pancreatic, lung, and ovarian cancers. Notable disparities were evident across various cancer types. For instance, only 29% of colon cancer patients in the UK underwent chemotherapy, in contrast to 31% in Norway and 34% in Canada and Australia.
Particularly alarming was the gap observed in pancreatic cancer treatment, with a mere 27% of patients in the UK receiving chemotherapy, significantly trailing behind the rates in Canada, Norway, and Australia.
These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced access to cancer therapies and improved treatment efficiency within the UK healthcare system. Efforts to address these disparities are imperative to ensure equitable access to life-saving treatments and to enhance overall cancer survival rates in the country.
