Cancer patients ‘at risk’ due to treatment delays, doctors say
Cancer patients 'at risk' due to treatment delays, doctors say bbc.co.uk
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Cancer Patients at Risk Due to Delayed Treatment, Warns Senior Doctor
Qays Najm/BBC
Introduction
Cancer patients in the UK are facing significant delays in receiving treatment, putting their lives at risk, according to senior doctors. Oncologist Professor Pat Price, head of the charity Radiotherapy UK, has described the state of cancer care in the country as a “crisis”.
Case Study: Tina Bean
Tina Bean, a 55-year-old former nurse from Stebbing in Essex, had to wait 158 days for her treatment for stage three bowel cancer. She expressed her horror at the five-month wait and emphasized the negative impact it can have on survival rates. Mrs. Bean started her radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment last month at Southend Hospital.
Concerns and Calls for Action
Professor Price, along with other experts, has called on the government to prioritize cancer care and develop a designated cancer plan. The current delays in treatment are deemed unacceptable and put patients at risk. The Society of Radiographers has also highlighted the strain on radiography departments, with waiting lists continuously growing and departments operating at overcapacity.
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
- Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate.
The article highlights the issue of cancer patients not receiving timely treatment, which is directly related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. Specifically, it addresses the target of reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, through prevention and treatment. The article mentions the long waiting times for cancer treatment and the negative impact it can have on patients’ survival rates.
The specific targets under SDG 3 that can be identified based on the article’s content are Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
The article does not explicitly mention the indicators for measuring progress towards these targets. However, two relevant indicators are Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease, and Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate. These indicators can be used to track the progress in reducing premature mortality from cancer and other non-communicable diseases, as well as monitoring mental health and well-being.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. |
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Source: bbc.co.uk
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