Rarer Cancers Foundation report
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Media statement in response to The Rarer Cancers Foundation's
report "Funding Cancer Drugs"
Patients with bowel cancer amongst most significant
beneficiaries of the Cancer Drugs Fund
Ian Beaumont, Director of Public
Affairs, Bowel Cancer UK said: "We are delighted that bowel cancer
treatments are the most commonly requested and approved drugs
through the Cancer Drugs Fund, specifically the biological agents
Bevacizumab (Avastin) and Cetuximab (Erbitux). Both have previously
been denied to a significant number of patients who could benefit
from them on the NHS.
"However, we share the Rarer Cancer Foundation's concern with
the continuing inequities in access to treatments, which mean bowel
cancer patients still face a postcode lottery in England. The
significant underspend of the £50 million Interim Cancer Drug Fund
also means that many patients are being denied treatments that can
help them live longer and feel better with the disease.
"We call on each Strategic Health Authority to honour the spirit
of the Cancer Drugs Fund and enable the clinicians in their area to
access effective treatments at the right time to benefit their
patients."
The full report can be viewed
here
