Lung cancer patients 'deserve better treatment'

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh ... altop.html

Lung cancer patients 'deserve better treatment'

(Filed: 07/02/2006)

Lung cancer charities are calling on the Government to provide better treatment to sufferers of the disease, who they say are not getting the care and attention they deserve.

The charities pointed out that more than 38,000 people died from lung cancer each year in Britain - more than leukaemia, breast and prostate cancer put together.

But despite this, lung cancer received just four per cent of the national cancer research budget amid stereotypes that it is a "smokers' disease".

Patients were also often denied the best care and treatment, and received less information, according to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and Macmillan Cancer Relief.

The charities have now launched a Patients' Charter challenging the Government to address the inadequacies in the care of lung cancer patients by setting out minimum standards for their treatment.

Mike Unger, chief executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said:"Lung cancer has not received the attention afforded to other major cancers.

"Greater attention needs to be given to the emotional and practical difficulties experienced by lung cancer patients and their carers.

"Driving awareness of the devastating impact of lung cancer has to be a top Government priority."

Peter Cardy, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Relief, added: "Lung cancer has been the poor relation for far too long and it's time to ensure patients get the care that they deserve.

"We must now focus attention on the UK's biggest cancer killer and so improve the quality of life for lung cancer patients."