Interesting EU study on healthcare, prevention and treatment

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6956446.stm#graphic

Two bits that really shocked me.

But there are issues which then arise with the quality and speed of treatment offered, according to Professor Richard Sullivan of Cancer Research UK, who identifies one of the key problems as a shortage of skilled surgeons.

While in other European countries, there are surgeons who specialise in cancer operations, there is not the same tradition of this in the UK - although this is starting to change, notably with an increase in breast cancer specialists.

The other problem he notes relates to radiotherapy - both in terms of trained staff and the availability of equipment.

France for instance, which has some of the best cancer survival rates in Europe, has 336 machines compared to the UK's 279 - 20% more for the same population, and the staff to match.

And while targets for treatment are being met, they do not always give the true picture.

There may be a maximum 62 day wait from urgent GP referral to treatment, but this simply means the start of treatment.

There are instances where people are waiting as long as 16 weeks for post-operative radiotherapy, a key part of their treatment which can maximise their chances of being cured. 

this further confirms my decision to head straight back the the university of chicago if the dreaded c is ever diagnosed. 

god knows how i'd manage to pay for it, but that's where i'd want to be.

Hiya,

Seeing as I have the most amount of doctors and specialists in my family - mostly US and Canada based - I've heard about the 'lagging' in Cancer research for quite a while now at least 5+ years. It's one of those things, gets reported in the media, then kinda fades away till the next time it's mentioned.

I remember one quote as being 'if you ever get cancer, hope that you are in the USA as it has the best cancer research and treatment and recovery stats'

without going to a personal level nor a debate - the reasons for the 'lagging' thats mentioned in this and quite a few other areas of healthcare is of course down to funding and the correct use of funding within the healthcare system in the UK (not just NHS)

I'm hoping some of my cousins make it into cancer research and treatment so I can get 'family rates' if I ever get diagnosed! if not, I'll kick their butts and tell em to go make some appropriately skilled friends quickly !

DtM! West London & Slough UK!

I'm hoping some of my cousins make it into cancer research and treatment so I can get 'family rates' if I ever get diagnosed!

Yet another reason to marry Dennis.

Haha!!

I only just saw this from you Sweetpeach! Made me chuckle!

DtM! West London & Slough UK!