NHS MUST END LONG 'CRUEL' JOURNEYS FOR CANCER CARE

With cancer, where you live should not determine if you live'

- Martyn Brown

URGENT extra funds must EXCLUSIVE By Martyn Brown be found to end the trauma faced by cancer patients who are marooned far from a treatment centre, campaigners insist.

The crisis was put into focus by figures showing 7.4 million people live well beyond the recommended 45-minute travel time, with many patients facing a "long cruel cancer commute" risking going without vital care.

Radiotherapy is needed in four out of 10 cures and to help half of all cancer patients. Yet analysis shows that many face far longer journeys than the guideline of three quarters of an hour because the NHS does not have enough cancer centres.

As part of the Daily Express’s Radiotherapy Saves Lives crusade, campaigners are demanding the Government boosts radiotherapy funding to cut travel times, slash the cancer backlog and save lives.

Leading oncologist Professor Pat Price, chairwoman of the charity Radiotherapy UK, said: Patients in this country are facing devastating cancer care deserts due in part to the fact that radiotherapy services and radiotherapy funding have simply not been made a priority.

“When it comes to cancer, where you live shouldn’t determine if you live. But sadly this desperate lack of access to radiotherapy cancer treatments is proven to have an impact on cancer survival.”

She said more funding is needed to boost cost-effective cancer treatment: Half of all cancer patients should get radiotherapy, but we are nowhere near that level.

“The case for enhanced accessibility to high-quality radiotherapy across the UK is overwhelming, and it should be a matter of concern for every policymaker and part of the country.

“We must bridge this gap to ensure every patient has swift access to lifesaving treatments.”