Patients Kept In Dark Over Cancer Posted on August 26th
1:47pm UK, Tuesday August 26, 2008
Doctors are keeping cancer patients in the dark about new treatments that could extend their lives, according to a cancer charity’s report.
Revlimid: A cancer drug banned by some PCTs, yet paid for by others
A quarter of the myeloma specialists questioned admitted hiding the facts about treatments that may be difficult to obtain on the NHS, said Myeloma UK.
The main reason given by doctors was to avoid distressing or confusing patients.
Myeloma is a bone marrow cancer that affects around 3,800 people each year in the UK. Of these, 2,600 are likely to die from the disease.
The new poll of 103 myeloma specialists across Britain was designed to take a snapshot of how the disease was being managed.
The doctors candidly revealed how they struggled with NHS bureaucracy and cost-cutting to obtain the best treatments for their patients.
One in four said they avoided telling patients about licensed drugs still awaiting approval from NHS watchdog the National Institution for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice).
Primary Care Trusts are generally reluctant to pay for new drugs that have not yet been given the Nice green light.
Myeloma UK’s Eric Low said: “It is appalling that myeloma patients cannot get access to life-extending treatments, which are widely available throughout Europe.
“Postcode prescribing is rife in the UK with some patients getting access to life-extending treatments ahead of a Nice decision whilst others are left to die.
“Myeloma UK wants to engage with the Department of Health to find a solution
to this growing issue.”
“Patients with active myeloma require effective treatment to improve their chances of survival. The impact of waiting even a month for treatment can result in a life or death situation.”
Dr Atul Mehta - Haematologist consultant at London’s Royal Free Hospital
Nice is currently reviewing a number of myeloma treatments including the drug Revlimid, which trial data suggests could extend the life of patients by three years.
A spokesman for Nice said: “The provision of funding for treatments currently undergoing Nice appraisal is a matter for local PCTs and Nice has no role in those local decisions.”