Too old to save: Thousands of elderly patients being denied cancer care

20 Dec 2012 02:00

Macmillan Cancer Support said doctors were making treatment assessments based on age instead of their fitness and well-being

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Pledge: Jeremy Hunt

PA

Thousands of elderly cancer sufferers are dying after being refused NHS treatment for being too old.

A report revealed yesterday that 45% of GPs, oncologists and specialist nurses have dealt with patients denied care due to their age.

Macmillan Cancer Support said doctors were making treatment assessments based on age instead of their fitness and well-being.

It also revealed Britain had some of the worst cancer survival rates in Europe for the over 65s.

Les Scaife, 81, of Southport, Lancashire, was diagnosed with cancer a year ago.

He said: ?I was shocked. When they started asking me questions about my age, I felt intimidated.

"I told them I would rather they treat my symptoms, not my age, they said they had to make sure I was okay for an operation.

"I said, ?Surely it?s a matter of fitness, not age?.?

Doctors eventually buckled when Les insisted he get the best treatment available. He was given the all clear earlier this month.

Macmillan chief Ciaran Devane said: ?The number of older people with cancer is set to rocket in the next 20 years from 1.3 million to 4.1 million.

"Unless the barriers are tackled now, many could die unnecessarily.?

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was ?shocking? to deny people care because of their age.

He added: ?More needs to be done to improve treatment for cancer patients over 70.?

Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/elderly-patients-being-denied-cancer-1498142

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