Press Release
8 September 2015
English Cancer Strategy 2015-20: action needed now
if it is to succeed
The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) today calls for action to implement the English
Cancer Strategy 2015-201 published in July. In Turning the ambition into action. How the
Cancer Strategy 2015-2020 can be implemented the RCR sets out what it can do to help
deliver the Strategy and explains where immediate action is required by the Government and
health bodies. The College warns that without such action the Strategy will rapidly become
unachievable and patients will continue to suffer from late diagnosis and delayed treatment:
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Outcomes for cancer patients will improve only when more cancers are identified at
an earlier stage. This means more patients having more scans. Delivering this
means a step change in diagnostic capacity which can only be achieved by a rapid
increase in the number of radiologists. An independently commissioned report
Horizon Scanning. An evaluation of imaging capacity across the NHS in England also
released this week concludes that there is an urgent need for imaging (x-ray and
scanning) services to be adequately funded and staffed if the NHS is to keep up with
rising demand. It also paints a bleak picture of the consequences if this does not
happen.
Diagnosing early cancers will increase the requirement for radiotherapy as a curative
treatment. Greater investment in and access to radiotherapy treatments such as
intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR),
molecular radiotherapy and proton beam therapy is needed.
Commenting, Dr Giles Maskell, President of The Royal College of Radiologists, said:
“Investment in the staff and equipment needed to achieve earlier diagnosis and to treat
cancer at an earlier stage is vital for patients. It will also bring dividends by releasing
large sums currently spent on treating advanced disease. The prospect of real progress
in cancer care is now within reach but urgent and decisive action is required if the
ambitions of the Cancer Strategy are to be realised. Our patients will rightly expect
nothing less.”
Ends
Media enquiries:
Bruce Sparrow 020 7406 5941/07554 998197 bruce_sparrow@rcr.ac.uk
Notes for Editors:
1.
Turning the ambition into action. How the Cancer
Strategy 2015-2020 can be implemented is available here
2. 1Achieving world-class cancer outcomes: a Strategy for England 2015-2020.
3. The Royal College of Radiologists www.rcr.ac.uk has over 9,800 Fellows and members
worldwide, representing the specialties of clinical oncology and clinical radiology.
The College sets and maintains the standards for entry to and practice in the specialties in
addition to leading and supporting practitioners throughout their careers.
4. Consultant radiologists are doctors who interpret x-rays, scans and other types of medical images
to detect and diagnose disease and injury. Timely, accurate diagnosis using imaging techniques
can speed up access to treatment, prevent or reduce hospital stays and offer major cost savings.
In the UK we have huge growth in demand for imaging but still lag way behind comparable
Western countries.
5. Clinical oncologists are doctors skilled in non-surgical forms of cancer treatment, using
radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radioactive isotopes and other special techniques
to treat people with cancer. The clinical oncologist is often the only doctor, together with the GP,
to manage the patient through the whole course of their cancer.
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