Cancer treatment game of ‘chance’ for almost half of Scottish patients

CAMPAIGNERS DEMAND URGENT CHANGE

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Cancer patients will need radiotherapy treatments, yet in the UK only about 35% actually receive it.

4,000 people in Scotland would have started treatment on time last year if cancer waiting times where they live matched the same as the best performing areas.

Dame Laura Lee, chief executive of cancer support charity Maggie’s, said: “A cancer diagnosis is already devastating for people without also having to face barriers in accessing the best possible treatments simply because of where they live.

“The upcoming national cancer plan [for England] is a golden opportunity for the government to transform cancer care and at Maggie’s, we want to ensure that people are receiving enough practical and emotional support to deal with the additional challenges that often come with cancer and to navigate the complex pathways of cancer treatment.”

The Express has campaigned for greater funding for new radiotherapy machines and more centres to reduce the distance patients are forced to travel.