Cancer experts are warning the NHS is “rationing” an innovative cancer treatment which could help deal with an expected surge in cases and “save lives”.

In an open letter to NHS England and Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the experts are calling for stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) to be rolled out to all cancer centres.

They warn that failure to act would be a “tragic lost opportunity”.

Many cancer patients have had their treatments put on hold as hospitals deal with the coronavirus pandemic, while there are fears there could be a huge backlog of cancer cases in the coming weeks and months.

The letter said: “Cancer is generally a disease of older age and associated with risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and obesity, which result in additional co-morbidities.

“This is clearly a higher risk demographic who are being advised to self-isolate, causing anxiety about seeking help for cancer-related symptoms. Hence, there is a ‘perfect storm’ for delayed diagnosis and reduced access to services.”

Recent analysis by University College London has estimated a 20% increase in cancer deaths in England over the next 12 months.

Researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research and Public Health England also found that a three-month delay to surgery across all stage one to three cancers is estimated to cause more than 4,700 additional deaths per year in England.

Around half of England’s radiotherapy centres are permitted to use SABR, which is usually used to treat some lung and prostate cancers.

But experts now say the treatment should be given as an option to some patients with other cancers who are unable to have surgery during the pandemic.

SABR requires fewer hospital visits than other treatments, meaning patients have less chance of contracting COVID-19, and studies suggest it is much less risky than surgery.

A recent study in China found the mortality rate of patients who contracted COVID-19 after having surgery was more than 20%.

Dr Clive Peedell, a consultant clinical oncologist who wrote the letter along with Action Radiotherapy, says SABR is an effective alternative to surgery in many cases.

“We don’t know from the clinical trials yet whether it’s definitely as effective as surgery, but it’s likely to be very close,” he told Sky News.

“So the patient will be told ‘you can wait for surgery, but there’s a risk your cancer would progress, and that can increase your mortality rate, or you can go for this stereotactic radiotherapy treatment’.

“It gives people an option, rather than just being stuck at home frightened that their cancer might progress.”

He says virtually all cancer centres have the capability to deliver the treatment, and they could be up and running “in the next few months”.

Source: Read Full Article