UK lung cancer care falling behind Europe, say doctors

Research findings from specialists treating advanced lung cancer have today highlighted worrying concerns that UK patients are being denied the best possible chance of survival.

Data from a survey of 100 doctors on the front-line of treating this disease show that many feel UK care falls below European standards and that access to new medicines must become a priority. With 35,000 people dying of this disease every year in the UK (nearly 100 every day),  there remains an urgent need for greater investment from government and a fundamental review of how medicines that can increase survival are made available. The study was commissioned by USA-based pharma major Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and undertaken by Instar.

“Doctors treating those with advanced lung cancer do all they can for patients, yet too often they find their hands are tied – unable to offer the care needed to keep people alive as long as possible with the best quality of life,” said Paula Chadwick, chief executive at the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, adding: “These results highlight that frustration is not only felt by patients and their families, but by doctors themselves. We must act to improve this situation and that means fairer investment, streamlined care and faster access to new medicines.”