Macmillan Highlights Major Gaps In UK Cancer Treatment

Macmillan Cancer Support has warned that almost 1.4 million people with cancer in the UK are being failed by what it describes as a “cancer postcode lottery”.

New research from the charity, one of the UK’s leading providers of cancer information, advice and support, shows that 40% of people with cancer have struggled to access tests, treatment, or care because of where they live. This inconsistency in services means some patients face long journeys, additional costs, stress and fatigue, while others risk missing out on potentially life-saving treatment altogether.

Macmillan’s analysis suggests that if all areas of the UK matched the performance of the best-performing regions, around 60,000 more people each year would start cancer treatment on time. At its most extreme, the postcode lottery could put an estimated 100,000 lives at risk, as some patients have turned down tests or treatment due to travel distances.

The charity highlights that variation is not only affecting access to established treatments but also the roll-out of innovative new options, with implications for outcomes, recovery and long-term quality of life.

Macmillan is calling for urgent action from governments and health systems across the UK to address these inequalities and ensure everyone with cancer receives the best possible care, regardless of where they live.