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28/10/2003
Cancer services making progress, says NHS report
The fight against cancer is making real progress, according to a report on the NHS blueprint for tackling the disease.
The review concentrated on advances made since the Cancer Plan was launched in 2000 and highlights the challenges that lie ahead.
The report found that the death rate from cancer among people under 75 has fallen by 10.3% - which is within the government's commitment of a 20% reduction by 2010. Up to 98% of patients with suspected cancer are now being seen by a specialist within two weeks of being referred urgently by their GP, compared to 63% in 1997. And there are 940 more cancer consultants than in 1997 - a 30% rise, the report claimed.
Health Secretary John Reid said cancer remained a "top priority for the government".
"Prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and care are all improving due to the hard work of our staff, backed up by hundreds of millions of pounds of extra investment," he said.
"But this report shows much work needs to be done if people are to have the cancer services they deserve. In particular, we need to work even harder to tackle the inequalities that mean unskilled workers are twice as likely to die from cancer as professionals."
Mr Reid also said funding has been rising each year and the government needed to make sure that money is getting through to the front line.
(gmcg)
The review concentrated on advances made since the Cancer Plan was launched in 2000 and highlights the challenges that lie ahead.
The report found that the death rate from cancer among people under 75 has fallen by 10.3% - which is within the government's commitment of a 20% reduction by 2010. Up to 98% of patients with suspected cancer are now being seen by a specialist within two weeks of being referred urgently by their GP, compared to 63% in 1997. And there are 940 more cancer consultants than in 1997 - a 30% rise, the report claimed.
Health Secretary John Reid said cancer remained a "top priority for the government".
"Prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and care are all improving due to the hard work of our staff, backed up by hundreds of millions of pounds of extra investment," he said.
"But this report shows much work needs to be done if people are to have the cancer services they deserve. In particular, we need to work even harder to tackle the inequalities that mean unskilled workers are twice as likely to die from cancer as professionals."
Mr Reid also said funding has been rising each year and the government needed to make sure that money is getting through to the front line.
(gmcg)
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