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New cancer strategy unveiled
Health secretary Alan Johnson has today outlined a five-year plan to improve NHS cancer services.
The NHS Cancer Reform Strategy (CRS) contains a 'wide-ranging package of measures' which aims to both tackle cancer and improve patient care.
The strategy comes after a report earlier this year showed that the UK is lagging behind the rest of Europe for cancer survival rates.
The CRS is being backed by £370 million of investment, and focuses on prevention, faster treatment, extended screening and fast-track drug approval.
Mr Johnson said the strategy would be a step towards 'world class-cancer services that give NHS patients access to top quality treatment at every stage.'
The CRS also focuses on improving quality of life for those living with the long-term effects of cancer, a move which was welcomed by Macmillan Cancer Support.
Chief executive of Macmillan, Ciaran Devane said that, with more people surviving the disease, 'the challenge now is to help these growing numbers live with the long-term medical, emotional and financial effects'.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: 'We must do more to ensure treatment is of the highest quality and I believe this plan can act as a road map to a higher standard of care, available to all.'
However, the Conservatives have argued that the CRS underlines the government's failure to meet promises laid out in the NHS Cancer Plan seven years ago.
Category: Healthcare
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