Cancer plan progresses but problems remain -MPs
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A 10-year plan to cut deaths from cancer in England has made significant progress but a clear gap between rich and poor areas of the country remains, a report by an influential committee of MPs said on Thursday.
The government’s NHS Cancer Plan, set up in 2000, aimed to provide a comprehensive strategy for tackling the disease with the creation of 34 networks to improve prevention and diagnosis, and ensure patients received the best treatment.
Currently one in three people develop cancer at some stage in their life.
The Public Accounts Committee said there had been success with falling death rates, better access to drugs and more money getting through to frontline services.
“But there are some areas where progress has not been impressive,” added PAC Chairman Edward Leigh.
The committee said there were clear disparities in the outcome of cancer treatment between affluent and poorer members of society, “with higher mortality rates in deprived areas and survival rates that consistently favour London and the south.”
Some of the established networks were more effective than others, with 30 percent visited by the National Audit Office having no comprehensive plan for providing cancer services in their locality, the PAC report said.
“Many cancer networks, particularly in more deprived areas, are failing to address these problems,” Leigh said. “Their effectiveness needs to be monitored closely and, where necessary, improved.”
The PAC said the Cancer Plan should be reviewed and fresh targets set.
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