The NHS has been warned by experts to prioritize the basics of cancer treatment over new technologies and artificial intelligence to avoid risking the health of thousands of patients. According to a paper published in Lancet Oncology by leading cancer doctors and academics, the NHS is currently facing a critical point in cancer care with survival rates falling behind other developed countries.
The paper points out that the NHS has not met its target of having 85% of cancer patients start treatment within two months since December 2015. Research shows that even a four-week delay in treatment can increase the risk of death by up to 10%. This means that hundreds of thousands of people have to wait months to begin essential cancer treatment, with only 67% starting treatment within 62 days.
The experts in the paper highlight 10 key pressure points contributing to entrenched cancer survival inequalities, diagnosis and treatment delays, and inappropriate care. They caution against relying too heavily on new technologies as “magic bullets” for the cancer crisis, emphasizing that these tools do not address the fundamental issues of cancer as a systemic problem.
While acknowledging the importance of investing in new technology, lead author Ajay Aggarwal stresses that these advancements may not necessarily improve patients’ prognoses. Instead, the focus should be on patient care, early diagnosis, quality treatment, survivorship, and follow-up to prevent avoidable deaths.
The authors of the paper call for a cancer control plan that includes measures to ensure timely treatment for suspected cancer cases, improved screening rates, a national cancer workforce strategy, better mental health support for cancer patients, and addressing social determinants of cancer such as housing quality, food policy, alcohol, and smoking.
While a 10-year cancer plan for England was announced in 2022, it was controversially abandoned less than a year later, leading to concerns from experts that patients could die as a result. Cancer Research UK’s director of evidence and implementation, Naser Turabi, emphasizes the need for a long-term, fully funded strategy for cancer research and care to bring about necessary changes in cancer services.
In response to the paper, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the need for improvements in cancer care, particularly in early diagnosis and treatment. They announced plans to double the number of MRI and CT scanners, as well as invest in AI-enabled scanners for faster diagnosis to catch illnesses earlier and save lives.
Overall, the message from experts is clear: prioritizing the basics of cancer care, timely treatment, and patient-focused approaches are essential to improving cancer outcomes in the UK. While new technologies have their place, they should not overshadow the fundamental needs of cancer patients.
