Lung cancer services a lottery
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Lung cancer services are a lottery in which some patients receive inadequate care, a British Thoracic Society conference was told.
Particular problems were poor access to specialist care for the elderly and those in lower socio-economic groups, unacceptably long waiting times, and variations in practice.
Older patients were significantly less likely to receive active treatment for lung cancer, said Dr Robin Rudd, consultant chest physician at the London Chest Hospital.
He cited a study in Southend, Essex, which showed that surgery was undertaken in 18 per cent of those under 65, 12 per cent of those aged 65 to 74, and only 2.1 per cent of those over 75.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments