My Breakthrough
13 DECEMBER 2007
The Cancer Reform Strategy
The Cancer Reform Strategy was published in December 2007 and sets out a strategy for the development of cancer services up to 2012. The Strategy was led by Professor Mike Richards, the National Cancer Director, with recommendations being made by a number of working groups made up of clinical and lay experts specialising in different aspects and types of cancer.
Breakthrough’s Chief Executive, Jeremy Hughes, chaired the working group on breast cancer and members of Breakthrough’s Campaigns & Advocacy Network (Breakthrough CAN) were also able to feed in valuable information on their experiences of healthcare services to ensure that the strategy will take account of patients’ views.
What’s in the Strategy?
The Cancer Reform Strategy places a heavy emphasis on local implementation and decision-making. While policy and strategic direction will still be overseen at a national level, and national targets will be retained, Primary Care Trusts and their commissioners will be largely responsible for ensuring effective implementation.
The aspects of the Strategy which are particularly relevant to people affected by breast cancer are:
– The NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) will be extended to women aged 47-73. The extension process will begin in April 2008 and is expected to be completed by 2012.
– The two-week wait will be extended to cover all patients referred by their GP with breast problems, not just those referred urgently. A deadline of December 2009 has been set for its achievement. The Strategy also highlights the value of the Nurse Practitioner role in achieving this target.
Campaigns Success
Breakthrough has been campaigning for a maximum two week wait for everyone referred by their GP to a specialist through our Left in the Dark campaign and for improvements in access to breast screening as part of the Screening Saves Lives Campaign. We are extremely pleased that the Government has announced these measures in the Cancer Reform Strategy as they will help to ensure that more cancers are detected at an early stage and that treatment can begin as soon as possible after a diagnosis of breast cancer.
The Cancer Reform Strategy is a welcome and important step in developing better services and treatments for people affected by cancer. However, it is equally important that all the Strategy’s recommendations are implemented effectively. Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer said:
"The Cancer Reform Strategy published today makes it clear that we need to be much better at diagnosing breast cancer earlier, offering better information about cancer signs and symptoms and improving radiotherapy services. It's vital that each and every one of the important recommendations set out in the Strategy are implemented swiftly and effectively in every part of the country. Who you are and where you live should never define the kind of care, drugs and services you receive."
To find out more about the Cancer Reform Strategy visit the publication’s page of the Department of Health’s website www.dh.gov.uk.
Breakthrough’s Chief Executive, Jeremy Hughes, chaired the working group on breast cancer and members of Breakthrough’s Campaigns & Advocacy Network (Breakthrough CAN) were also able to feed in valuable information on their experiences of healthcare services to ensure that the strategy will take account of patients’ views.
What’s in the Strategy?
The Cancer Reform Strategy places a heavy emphasis on local implementation and decision-making. While policy and strategic direction will still be overseen at a national level, and national targets will be retained, Primary Care Trusts and their commissioners will be largely responsible for ensuring effective implementation.
The aspects of the Strategy which are particularly relevant to people affected by breast cancer are:
– The NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) will be extended to women aged 47-73. The extension process will begin in April 2008 and is expected to be completed by 2012.
– The two-week wait will be extended to cover all patients referred by their GP with breast problems, not just those referred urgently. A deadline of December 2009 has been set for its achievement. The Strategy also highlights the value of the Nurse Practitioner role in achieving this target.
Campaigns Success
Breakthrough has been campaigning for a maximum two week wait for everyone referred by their GP to a specialist through our Left in the Dark campaign and for improvements in access to breast screening as part of the Screening Saves Lives Campaign. We are extremely pleased that the Government has announced these measures in the Cancer Reform Strategy as they will help to ensure that more cancers are detected at an early stage and that treatment can begin as soon as possible after a diagnosis of breast cancer.
The Cancer Reform Strategy is a welcome and important step in developing better services and treatments for people affected by cancer. However, it is equally important that all the Strategy’s recommendations are implemented effectively. Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer said:
"The Cancer Reform Strategy published today makes it clear that we need to be much better at diagnosing breast cancer earlier, offering better information about cancer signs and symptoms and improving radiotherapy services. It's vital that each and every one of the important recommendations set out in the Strategy are implemented swiftly and effectively in every part of the country. Who you are and where you live should never define the kind of care, drugs and services you receive."
To find out more about the Cancer Reform Strategy visit the publication’s page of the Department of Health’s website www.dh.gov.uk.
