Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
08 December 2014 11:08
Older cancer patients are less likely to have surgery, according to a study
New research has shown that younger cancer patients are more likely to have surgery for their disease than older sufferers.
Patients below the age of 55 were found to be more likely to have an operation for 19 types of cancer than older people, the Cancer Research UK report found.
Surgery rates for kidney cancer patients over the age of 85 stood at only one in 10. This compared to almost three-quarters (73%) of people under the age of 55 and 36% of patients aged between 75 and 84.
The data - which was compiled in conjunction with the National Cancer Intelligence Network - painted a similar picture for bowel, breast and lung cancers.
Of the three biggest killers, bowel cancer offered the largest proportion of over-85s receiving surgery at 39%. This was still less than the two-thirds of people younger than 55 getting similar treatment.
The report stated that more than three-quarters (76%) of breast cancer patients aged younger than 55 had surgical procedures. The rate for over-85s was given as 26%.
Those who have had successful surgery may well decide at some point to take a holiday, or to visit family overseas. They can arrange specialist travel insurance for cancer patients.
What Cancer Research UK says
Cancer Research UK said the research gave further background to the "age bias" from which it says older cancer patients can suffer.
The charity's head of statistics, Nick Ormiston-Smith, said past studies had suggested older sufferers could be overlooked for surgery due to their age.
He called for changes to be made to the situation and emphasised the need for earlier diagnoses. If that could be achieved, he said, greater numbers of patients could be suitable for surgery and other treatments.
Returning to the current situation, Mr Ormiston-Smith said it was "wrong" if older cancer patients were not being offered the option of surgery.
16 October 2018
Patients with brain tumours lose out on almost £15,000 per year, a new report has revealed.
[more...]
13 October 2018
Chris Grayling has given his "categorial assurance" to Parliament that a no-deal Brexit will not ground flights in and out of the UK, despite recent warnings from experts that this remains a possibility.
12 October 2018
The rising cost of fuel could force more airlines out of business, the boss of easyJet has warned.
11 October 2018
The image of the boozy backpacker might be a thing of the past as a new study suggests more and more youngsters are shunning alcohol completely.
10 October 2018
The NHS says just one in 10 drinks sold in English hospitals will be sugar-sweetened, as part of its bid to curb rising obesity levels.
09 October 2018
More than 260,000 diabetes patients were put at risk of lasting harm or even death during hospital stays last year due to medication errors, a new report has revealed.
06 October 2018
NHS patients with a specific type of lymphoma will soon be able to access a "game-changing" new treatment, health officials have revealed.
05 October 2018
People living with diabetes are being warned they might be "unwittingly" storing their insulin incorrectly.
04 October 2018
The world's first commercial jet part-powered by a new form of biofuel touches down in London on Wednesday (3rd October).
03 October 2018
New 'hotel-style' carriages that were due to be rolled out for the Caledonian Sleeper have been delayed until next year.
02 October 2018
Budapest has been revealed as the cheapest destination for UK holidaymakers looking for a cultural break, according to a new report.
29 September 2018
Holidaymakers heading off by train will soon be able to check their blood pressure at the station, as part of a new scheme aimed at boosting the number of people getting checked.