'Postcode lottery over cancer care is not fair'

AN estimated four in 10 people with cancer in the UK have struggled to access care because of where they live, according to analysis.

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Some patients are even turning down vital tests and treatment because of travel times, potentially putting 100,000 lives at risk, Macmillan Cancer Support warned, calling for “urgent action” to make access fair.

The YouGov survey conducted for Macmillan asked 2,002 UK adults with a cancer diagnosis if they had to travel an hour or more for treatment, or had to repeatedly request tests not available in their area.

Patients were also asked if they chose to travel to another hospital for a shorter waiting time or better treatment option.

Some 40% of people selected one or more of these options, which Macmillan said represents almost 1.4 million of the 3.4 million people with cancer in the UK.