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Plan to boost cancer patient care Plan to boost cancer patient care
(10 minutes later)
Plans for reform of cancer services in England have been set out by ministers.Plans for reform of cancer services in England have been set out by ministers.
Cancer survival in the UK is still below the European average, despite recent improvements and the publication of the first Cancer Plan in 2000.Cancer survival in the UK is still below the European average, despite recent improvements and the publication of the first Cancer Plan in 2000.
The plans, unveiled by Health Secretary Alan Johnson, will be underpinned by a £370m investment by 2010.The plans, unveiled by Health Secretary Alan Johnson, will be underpinned by a £370m investment by 2010.
They include speeding up drug approval and more money for radiotherapy services, alongside an extension of breast and bowel cancer screening.They include speeding up drug approval and more money for radiotherapy services, alongside an extension of breast and bowel cancer screening.
There will be a greater emphasis on preventing cancer, and providing more support with people living with the long-term effects of the disease.There will be a greater emphasis on preventing cancer, and providing more support with people living with the long-term effects of the disease.
Ministers will consult on banning the sale of tobacco in vending machines and reducing cigarette displays in shops. Smoking is linked to a third of all cancer cases.Ministers will consult on banning the sale of tobacco in vending machines and reducing cigarette displays in shops. Smoking is linked to a third of all cancer cases.
HAVE YOUR SAY Experience with family members has shown that only those who went private stood a chance of real recovery Anne Wotana Kaye, London Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Experience with family members has shown that only those who went private stood a chance of real recovery Anne Wotana Kaye, London Send us your comments
There will be a review of regulation of sun beds to try to cut cases of skin cancer.There will be a review of regulation of sun beds to try to cut cases of skin cancer.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the service reforms would serve as a "road map to a higher standard of care available to all".Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the service reforms would serve as a "road map to a higher standard of care available to all".
But the Conservatives said the announcement amounts to an admission of failure, and said the government's original Cancer Plan had failed to deliver its promises.But the Conservatives said the announcement amounts to an admission of failure, and said the government's original Cancer Plan had failed to deliver its promises.
Key elements of the NHS Cancer Reform Strategy include:Key elements of the NHS Cancer Reform Strategy include:
  • £200m investment to boost radiotherapy capacity over the next three years, with cash for new equipment and staff.
  • £200m investment to boost radiotherapy capacity over the next three years, with cash for new equipment and staff.
  • Where possible, cancer drugs will be assessed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) at the same time as they go through the licensing process to make them available to patients more quickly.
  • Where possible, cancer drugs will be assessed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) at the same time as they go through the licensing process to make them available to patients more quickly.
  • Measures to improve detection of cancer in primary care.
  • Measures to improve detection of cancer in primary care.
  • Extension of the NHS breast cancer screening programme to all women aged 47 to 73 by 2012.
  • Extension of the NHS breast cancer screening programme to all women aged 47 to 73 by 2012.
  • Extension of the NHS bowel screening programme from 2010 to all men and women aged 70 to 75.
  • Extension of the NHS bowel screening programme from 2010 to all men and women aged 70 to 75.
    • Cancer survival rates have improved massively in recent years - around 50% of people now live for more than five years after a cancer diagnosis.Cancer survival rates have improved massively in recent years - around 50% of people now live for more than five years after a cancer diagnosis.
    However, the disease still kills around 125,000 people in England every year.However, the disease still kills around 125,000 people in England every year.
    Mr Brown said the plan demonstrated the "very highest priority" attached to fighting the disease.Mr Brown said the plan demonstrated the "very highest priority" attached to fighting the disease.
    He said: "We must do more to ensure treatment is of the highest quality and I believe this plan can act as a road map to a higher standard of care, available to all."He said: "We must do more to ensure treatment is of the highest quality and I believe this plan can act as a road map to a higher standard of care, available to all."
    Mr Johnson said: "Clinicians, patients and cancer charities tell us that cancer care has improved significantly in the last 10 years thanks to investment and reform, but I am determined to go further.Mr Johnson said: "Clinicians, patients and cancer charities tell us that cancer care has improved significantly in the last 10 years thanks to investment and reform, but I am determined to go further.
    "I want to build world class-cancer services that give NHS patients access to top quality treatment at every stage.""I want to build world class-cancer services that give NHS patients access to top quality treatment at every stage."
    Shorter waitsShorter waits
    Dr Mike Williams, vice president the Royal Society of Radiologists, welcomed the investment in radiotherapy.Dr Mike Williams, vice president the Royal Society of Radiologists, welcomed the investment in radiotherapy.
    He said at present about half of radiotherapy patients waited longer than the government target of 31 days for treatment.He said at present about half of radiotherapy patients waited longer than the government target of 31 days for treatment.
    Dr Richard Barker, director general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, warned plans speed up NICE assessment of drugs may not be practical.
    He said: "With most medicines it is difficult to asess medcines' cost-effectiveness at launch - the relevant data are simply not available - and this is especially true of cancer medicines."
    Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman, warned that the government had previously failed to secure value for money in the NHS.Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman, warned that the government had previously failed to secure value for money in the NHS.
    He said the key would be to tackle the fact that the most disadvantaged groups in society were at the greatest risk of serious disease, such as cancer.He said the key would be to tackle the fact that the most disadvantaged groups in society were at the greatest risk of serious disease, such as cancer.
    Have you been affected by this story? What are your experiences of cancer care? What do you think of these plans? Send us your comments on the form below
    Have you been affected by this story? What are your experiences of cancer care? What do you think of these plans? Send us your comments on the form below