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NEWS > MEDIA CENTRE > PRESS RELEASES & STATEMENTS > 2003 > CANCER RESEARCH UK REPORTS BREAST CANCER RATES IN THE UK HIGHEST EVERCancer Research UK reports breast cancer rates in the UK highest ever
Cancer Research UK reports today (June 2) that breast cancer rates in the UK are the highest ever. Although more women are being successfully treated than ever before and other research released today points to encouraging new developments in breast cancer treatments such as the use of Epirubicin in combination with other chemotherapy drugs.
Cancer Research UK’s report also underlines the importance of remedying one of the most distressing issues facing UK breast cancer patients: breast and other cancer patients are too often waiting months for the vital scans needed before their treatment can begin.
Senior Cancer Information Nurse Martin Ledwick said “Waiting times for scans or radiotherapy treatments is a constantly recurring theme raised by callers to our national freephone helpline and one of the most distressing issues they face. Patients waiting for longer than the recommended times for such treatment are fearful and anxious about whether the delay will adversely affect the progress and outcome of their illness. It can also mean they experience a delay in coming to terms with the disease and in ‘moving on’ in their treatment.
‘The Cancer Research UK report suggests that the trend in breast cancer rates is set to continue as Britain experiences a nationwide shortage of qualified staff and equipment. Training, recruitment and working conditions of staff should be urgently reviewed and we also need to find new ways of working to make the most of available equipment. Ringfenced funding of cancer services would also help.’
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For further information please contact Daisy O'Clee, tel 020 7920 7219
Notes to editors
CancerBACUP is the leading national charity providing information and support to people with cancer, their families and friends. Its vision is to provide a future in which cancer patients have all the help they need to face cancer without fear.
CancerBACUP Support Service: Freephone Information Service: 0808 800 1234 (Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm).
The charity’s interactive website can be found at www.cancerbacup.org.uk
Please note: this information is from an archived press release so may no longer be current. Contact the Macmillan press team on 020 7840 7821.
Page last modified: 14 January 2009