Doctors warn cancer patients may miss proper care

Doctors warn that many cancer patients in England and Wales are not receiving proper treatment. The National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre (NatCan) found major gaps in care for prostate, kidney, and colon cancers.

NatCan reported that half of stage-four renal cell carcinoma patients do not receive drug treatment. Over one-third of stage-three colon cancer patients miss chemotherapy within three months of surgery. At some hospitals, this number rises above 60%. Additionally, 30% of high-risk prostate cancer patients do not get surgery or radiotherapy.

Professor Ajay Aggarwal, NatCan’s clinical director, blamed hospital staffing shortages and age-based treatment decisions for these gaps. He stressed that better use of existing treatments could save lives.

NHS England’s cancer director, Professor Peter Johnson, acknowledged care differences and pledged to improve outcomes. The Department of Health and Social Care promised equal cancer care access across regions. The Welsh government committed to fixing gaps and enhancing cancer services.