Cancer in the United Kingdom

[2] As age and biological sex are the biggest risk factors, women over 50 are automatically invited to participate in the NHS Breast Screening Programme every three years.

It promises considerable investment in linear accelerators There have been some improvements in cancer care but too many patients are waiting too long for diagnosis and treatment.

The increased investment does not appear to be sufficient to meet the rise in the number of cancer patients, and there are shortages of radiologists, specialist nurses and other key staff.

[15] Sara Hiom of Cancer Research UK said, ‘The state of NHS diagnostic services is deeply concerning – and new GP referral guidelines from NICE mean that even more patients will be waiting for these tests.

Dr Giles Maskell of the Royal College of Radiologists said, ‘Well-resourced testing services are crucial to the early diagnosis of cancer, which in turn is vital to increase survival from the disease.'