One third of cancer sufferers are not being seen by treatment specialists within the 62-day target time, demonstrating the need for a reset in cancer treatment efforts.
Professor Pat Price, chair of Radiotherapy UK, spoke with Professor Peter Johnston, NHS England national clinical director for cancer, about what efforts are being made to improve treatment times.
While more people are being diagnosed early, she emphasised that not enough is being done, and that the government’s Cancer Plan – expected in the summer – must be “big, bold, and brave” rather than making incremental changes.”
'We're committed to driving that up'
Professor Johnston explained that targeting groups most at risk for cancer with lung screening programmes has helped to ensure those with cancer are being diagnosed in the earlier stages, which has helped to “move the dial” on extended waiting times for treatment.
“We know that a lot of people are reluctant to come forward, they’re worried what doctors might find, worried about having a diagnosis – but we’ve started to change perceptions and make it clear if you come forward, your chances of successful treatment are higher than ever before,” he said. “We’re seeing higher survival rates as a result of all this work.
“You’re absolutely right, we’re not happy with the level we’re at, but the number of people being treatment within two months of referral is going up and its going up faster this year than it has gone up previously. We’re on track to hit a target of 70 per cent by end of year, and we’re committed to driving that up.”
Charlotte Beardmore, exexcutive director of professional policy at the SoR, welcomed Mr. Johnston's enthusiasm at earlier cancer diagnosis, adding that progress must continue to give patients a better chance of improved treatment outcomes.
She warned, however: "While this is positive news, we believe it is absolutely critical to have a clear national cancer strategy and plan to support all patients with a coordinated and focused approach. Such a strategy should drive change for all cancer patients by ensuring investment in care pathways, the diagnostic and therapeutic radiography workforce, the wider workforce, with funding to support implementation of the most innovative and evidence-based care.
"The SoR would welcome the opportunity to contribute its expertise to the development of such an important and vital strategy for cancer patients."
'A major handbrake turn'
Professor Price, however, argued that these efforts risk obscuring the “cancer crisis”.
“Everything from collapse of GP services to people not having access to timely treatment – we’re in the bottom of the league still. Change is great, but really we’re nowhere near where we should be and I can’t see that optimism.
“Will the new cancer plan be big and bold and brave, supercharging diagnosis and treatment rather then implementing incremental change? We need a major handbrake turn and reset to get cancer where we need it to be.
“If we’re not coping now, we’re not going to cope. We need to have timing and targets to be met, we need ambition, more than just words, investment in frontline, technology, leadership, drive – we need to get there.”
Listen to the full conversation between Professor Johnston and Professor Price here, starting at 2:17:30.
(Image: Professor Pat Price, via Radiotherapy UK)