He said earlier diagnosis would enable the UK to
catch-up with its international counterparts in terms
of survival rates and would also make the NHS more
efficient.
Sir Harpal said he would like to see an end to the
unacceptable variation in cancer treatment that exists
in the UK, whereby some patients have long waits for
appointments or tests, depending on where they live.
He also wants to see an improvement in the relationship
between research and the NHS so patients receive new
treatments much quicker.
Citing recent Cancer UK Research, Sir Harpal said the
evidence showed around 60% of doctors felt they’d
experienced a barrier to adopting a new treatment,
rising to 83% amongst oncologists, with money being the
most frequent barrier.
In his speech to an audience of clinicians and
healthcare leaders, he made reference to the ageing
population meaning in the next decade, there is likely
to be an increase in the total number of deaths from
cancer in the UK. Last year, more than 162,000 deaths
were cancer-related, representing 28% of all deaths in
the UK.
Sir Harpal Kumar said:
We have the potential to transform outcomes for many
thousands of cancer patients, based on what we know
now, even if there were no more research.
We have to think and act differently. If we cracked
earlier diagnosis, it wouldn’t just enable us to
catch up with our international counterparts, through
the thousands of lives saved. It would also mean a
huge increase in NHS efficiency.
Dr Ian Hudson, MHRA’s Chief Executive, said:
As a regulator, we know the important role that
research and development plays in bringing new
treatments to patients.
Given the ageing population, our work is even more
vital to help transform outcomes for many thousands
of patients – including cancer patients - to help
make sure new and innovative treatments are made
available to patients at the earliest, safest
opportunity.
