Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
16 September 2015 08:52
The Government is investing more in cancer diagnostics
Patients who may have cancer should know either way within four weeks of a GP referral from 2020, under new Government plans.
It is thought an additional £300 million annual investment in diagnostics will underpin this new target.
Health specialists think the standard, if achieved, could save a maximum of 11,000 lives each year.
The existing target is for suspected cancer patients to visit a specialist after no more than a fortnight, following a referral from their family doctor. No diagnosis time limit has been in place until now, however.
The Government wants the new guidelines to ensure that the waiting time for possible cancer patients is limited, with "tailored recovery" services fitted around their requirements.
Ministers say that patients could access their test results and treatment online, giving them extra control over their own health data.
Getting away from it all
Waiting for a diagnosis can be a challenging time. But cancer survivors and sufferers alike can find comfort in a break abroad.
They can get peace of mind with cancer-related travel insurance. This covers 24/7 medical assistance and lost medication.
What the Health Secretary says
Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, called the period between being referred by a family doctor and getting diagnosed or getting the all-clear "nerve-wracking".
He says it is the Government's "duty" to make sure this uncertain time is kept to a minimum.
Diagnosed patients will receive treatment far quicker and consequently thousands of people will be saved, Mr Hunt added.
What happens now?
Five British hospitals will be singled out to trial the latest target ahead of the plan rolling out nationwide to include every cancer by the start of the next decade.
The trial follows a review into how the UK can better its cancer survival and care levels.
13 December 2018
Space tourism could move one giant leap closer this week as Virgin Galactic expects to reach "space altitudes" for the first time.
[more...]
12 December 2018
If you're worried about piling on the pounds this Christmas, regular home weighing could prevent you from excessive festive eating and drinking.
11 December 2018
Airlines that automatically cancel return flights when passengers fail to show for their outbound journeys are being warned they risk breaking consumer law.
08 December 2018
Providing better conditions for disabled passengers is one of the main aims of a proposed new charter for airlines and airports.
07 December 2018
Women who don't attend cervical screenings should be offered testing kits they can use at home, new research suggests.
06 December 2018
Ryanair could be slapped with enforcement action from the airline regulator after it refused compensation for passengers hit by flight disruption caused by staff taking strike action.
05 December 2018
Protein supplements and muscle training could be the most effective ways to delay or reverse the effects of frailty, a new study suggests.
04 December 2018
Mumford and Sons bassist Ted Dwane has helped create a new exhibition to raise awareness of the loneliness felt by people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
01 December 2018
A leading charity has praised the actions of Lloyd Russell-Moyle, saying the Labour MP had "done everybody a service" by disclosing his HIV status.
30 November 2018
Sweating out the daily stresses in a sauna could be linked to a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in people aged 50 and over, according to a new study.
29 November 2018
Hitting the Copacabana could soon become a more realistic aim for holidaymakers, with Norwegian set to become the first budget airline to operate UK-Brazil flights.
28 November 2018
Holidaymakers on the UK's proposed new high-speed trainline could have their Amazon packages delivered directly to their seat, according to a train manufacturer.