Key areas of lung cancer treatment are still 'woefully inadequate'

Key areas of lung cancer treatment are still "woefully inadequate" and could be costing up to 3,000 lives a year, leading researchers said.

According to the United Kingdom Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC), one-third of patients still do not receive a biopsy to diagnose their condition, and thousands are denied life-saving surgery because of a lack of experienced specialists.

In some parts of the UK fewer than 10% of patients receive any form of treatment to halt the spread of their disease, the coalition added.

Dr Mick Peake, chairman of the UKLCC's clinical advisory group, said: "There are only 44 full-time equivalent specialist thoracic surgeons spread thinly over 240 multidisciplinary cancer teams across the country and many teams lack core members.

"Alarmingly, patients who are fit for surgery are being turned down."

"We are calling for a 70% active treatment rate across the board, which would mean a massive reduction in the number of lung cancer deaths.

"Up to 3,000 lives could potentially be saved each year as a result."

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK, with around 39,000 diagnosed each year.

The disease kills around 34,500 people each year - around in four of all cancer deaths.

The UKLCC's recommendations follow a national review of lung cancer services.