Cancer
Minister rejects cancer drugs fund
The Welsh health minister Lesley Griffiths has told a group of top medics she is standing firm on the issue of a cancer drugs fund for Wales, saying the scheme would not work.
Record low in post-50 cancer deaths achieved
The number of people in their 50s dying prematurely from cancer in the UK has reached a record low, new figures have revealed.
Prostate cancer rates now top 40,000 annually
More than 40,000 men a year in the UK are being affected by prostate cancer, a charity’s research has show.
Value-based pricing 'will not improve' cancer drug access
Government proposals to introduce a value-based pricing system for new drugs will not significantly improve patient access to treatments, experts have warned.
PCTs bypassed in applications to Cancer Drugs Fund
Doctors have been told they can bypass primary care trust funding processes and apply direct to the controversial Cancer Drugs Fund in certain cases, under new guidelines issued by the Department of Health.
Demand for lifesaving treatment could outstrip supply
Demand for a blood component vital in the treatment of cancer and diseases of the immune system is set to outstrip supply unless thousands more donors can be found, HSJ has been told.
£250m proton cancer therapy boost announced
Hundreds of patients currently sent abroad for a cancer treatment will soon be able to get it at home, the government has announced.
Exclusive: London and Manchester to get beam therapy investment
Andrew Lansley will tomorrow announce two hospitals that will offer Proton Beam Therapy for the treatment of cancer.
Older cancer patients' treatment restricted, Macmillan claims
Elderly cancer patients are being “under-treated” on the NHS because of assumptions made about their ability to cope, a charity warned today.
Common cancers get faster referrals, study shows
Female, young, or older ethnic minority cancer patients have the highest number of GP consultations before they are referred to a specialist, it has been reported.
CQUIN and CQC quality results don't match, report finds
Trusts are improving the patient experience in areas where they receive financial incentives while neglecting others, a study suggests.
Imperial suspends reporting on waiting lists
One of England’s largest hospital trusts has taken the rare step of suspending its reporting of three key performance measures as it is “unable” to determine how many patients are waiting for treatment.
'Be clear' bowel cancer campaign launched by government
A government campaign has been launched to raise awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer.
Fine hospitals restricting bowel cancer care, charity says
Hospitals that fail to offer bowel cancer patients a full range of appropriate treatments should be fined, a charity has said.
Macmillan chief appointed non exec for commissioning board
Macmillian Cancer Support chief executive Ciarán Devane has been confirmed as a non executive director of the NHS Commissioning Board.
Lung cancer services audit reveals little improvement
Much of the progress in lung cancer treatment has stalled, with major variations still evident in remaining service provision, NHS Information Centre data suggests.
Lung cancer causing 1,000 'unnecessary' deaths a year
At least 1,000 Britons with lung cancer are dying needlessly each year because they are not offered surgery, according to new research.
Independent NHS screening review launched
An independent review of NHS breast screening is under way after researchers suggested the harms may outweigh the benefits.
Cigarette vending machines ban to improve health in children
A ban on vending machines selling tobacco that comes into force in England today will reduce the access children have to cigarettes and cut down the number of young smokers, it is hoped.
NHS costs cut by smoking schemes, study shows
A new report which found that tobacco control programmes can cut health care costs has been hailed by anti-smoking campaigners Ash Scotland.
More on Cancer
An innovative approach to redesigned oncology services
Developing a successful acute oncology service to admitted patients and those in A&E called for some innovative thinking, explain Rob Smith and colleagues.
The benefits of using virtual environment radiotherapy training
Utilising virtual environment radiotherapy training has helped one trust develop and improve learning and knowledge in different departments across the trust, as Dean Garnham and colleagues explain.
How a lean approach can improve care for the growing number of cancer patients
In times where advanced treatments and a population living longer are putting pressure on services, cancer care must transform itself to meet this demand while at the same time as providing efficient, high quality, coordinated and patient-centred service delivery.
How supercomputers can cost effectively advance medical research
Obtaining the power of “supercomputers” helps researchers produce and manage mass amounts of data with benefits to productivity and cost, and progressing into new areas of research, writes Cancer Research UK’s head of IT and scientific computing Peter Maccallum.
Liberating innovation in the NHS: award winning ideas, six months on
Last year’s Liberating Ideas Award winners have been working hard on their innovative projects. Emma Dent catches up on their progress and aspirations.
Tackling public health inequalities: NHS BEN's fight against smoking
With smoking levels above average in Birmingham East and North, NHS BEN’s Fight Back campaign has aimed to remove inequalities and improve health and wellbeing in the area.
