Cancer Care Inequalities Highlighted by Charities and NHS Officials
At worst, this may mean some patients are needlessly dying or in unnecessary pain.
Cancer charities have stated that addressing existing failings in care is arguably more critical than merely reducing waiting times.
Eve Byrne from Macmillan Cancer Support described the findings as "quite staggering", emphasising that addressing care variation should be the "number one priority" in the forthcoming national cancer strategy.
"Getting the best care to give you the greatest chance of survival should not come down to which hospital you attend or where you live in the country," she said.
Ms Byrne expressed concerns that patients from deprived, rural, or ethnically diverse communities could be losing out specifically.
Amy Rylance from Prostate Cancer UK mentioned that patients are effectively being denied their "best chance of a cure", stating, "This needs to change now."
Prof Peter Johnson, NHS England cancer director, acknowledged that "patients' experience of cancer treatment does vary too often - and we are working hard to address this."
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care affirmed that "Patients should be able to access the cancer care they need regardless of where they live and we are committed to addressing health inequalities as we rebuild the NHS."
A new cancer strategy is anticipated to be published in the latter half of the year, which Health Secretary Wes Streeting has indicated will revolutionise services.
A spokesperson for the Welsh government stated that they are working with the NHS to "plan, deliver, recover and improve cancer services", highlighting areas for further work as noted in the audit.
