Responding to a Policy Review by leading cancer experts, published in The Lancet Oncology, on improving cancer care in the UK, Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, said:
"Today’s report is yet another stark warning to UK governments of the consequences of failing to tackle the crisis facing cancer care.
“With worst on record waiting times and shortages across the whole cancer workforce, timely cancer diagnosis and treatment is being pushed to the brink of disaster, with breast cancer care in a precarious position. We know a severe shortfall of oncologists is impacting some breast cancer services delivering timely treatment to people who desperately need it. And with almost half of clinical breast oncologists set to retire within the next decade, the situation is set to get much worse.
“Today’s blueprint calling for a radical and sustainable UK cancer plan is a welcome spotlight on what is desperately needed to ensure cancer services meet the needs of people affected by cancer now and in the long-term.
“We’ll continue to fund research, campaign, and support anyone affected by this devastating disease so that by 2050 everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives and lives well. But the reality is, that governments across the UK must prioritise the urgent, sustainable action needed to ensure the increasing numbers of people diagnosed and living with breast cancer, get the treatment and support they need and deserve. Only then can we guarantee people with breast cancer the best chances of survival, both now and in the future.”