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Misdiagnosis, lack of access to the latest drugs and a ‘postcode lottery' of health services are among the reasons for English patients receiving one of the lowest standards of cancer care in Europe with its subsequent risk of medical negligence of the victims.
In an official government study by the national director of cancer services, Professor Mike Richards, only 15 out of the country's 152 NHS trusts meet the best survival rates for colorectal cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer, compared with the Continent.
The study, the first looking at survival rates of these three major killers, showed there are huge differences in services across the country. The rates are judged according to an international standard called EuroCare.
In England, 95 per cent of people live for at least a year after being diagnosed with breast cancer, compared with the European survival rate judged "good" of 97 per cent.
For colorectal cancer, 71 per cent of people were still alive a year later, compared with the "good" European standard of 79 per cent. In lung cancer, just 28 per cent of people lived for a year after diagnosis, compared with the 37 per cent proportion considered "good" in Europe.
10,000 lives could be saved annually
Patients in England are misdiagnosed or diagnosed later than in most other European countries. Prof Richards said in his report that up to 10,000 lives could be saved if cancers were treated earlier.
Although more than £4 billion a year is spent on cancer treatment in the UK, and death rates are falling, around 150,000 still die annually. Of those, lung cancer is the biggest killer with 34,500 victims.
With significant differences in survival rates around the country once cancer is diagnosed, it seems to be just bad luck if you live in the ‘wrong' part of the UK and don't receive the same standard of treatment as patients in another part of the country.
Cancer research and treatments have improved enormously in the last decade, but what can you do to help yourself or a loved one gain access to the best treatment?
If you can afford private health care or have a suitable insurance policy, there are hospitals, mainly in London, which can offer fast diagnosis, operations, drugs and therapy, but most deal only with the most prevalent forms of the disease.
NHS centres of excellence
There are a number of NHS centres of excellence, such as the Royal Marsden, which have an international reputation, especially for some of the more unusual specialities. Oncology specialists in regional hospitals should know who to call if they need further professional advice or support, depending on a patient's diagnosis.
The NHS has a policy of allowing patient choice over place of treatment where possible but, of course, depending on the seriousness of the illness, this may not be practical and cancer sufferers may just have to go to their nearest hospital or specialist clinic
In many ways, this can be the best option because there is the shortest travel distance from home for patients and their relatives. There can also be the reassurance of familiarity during a stressful time and perhaps personal knowledge of other people who have received good treatment for their cancers in the same place.
Cancer-related charities are continuing to campaign for the best services and treatment for all sufferers, wherever they live, and The Patients Association is a national organisation representing patients' interests for all aspects of NHS services.
Misdiagnosis or late diagnosis of cancer symptoms is a major factor behind many cases of clinical negligence cases brought by victims and their families and damages for medical negligence have been sought where drugs, surgical or therapy treatments have either been mis-applied or not used.
We would all like a health service which provides for our every need, especially in such a critical area as cancer care, but mistakes and neglect do happen and with many cancers time is of the essence in receiving life-saving treatment. So, although the main message of the official report is that the NHS should do better, patients can help themselves by being pro-active in being aware of any early signs of disease and staying in close contact with all medical professionals who can help.
