Cancer inequality - Charles

[notknowledgeable]

Obviously I know life is unfair, but even so I am stunned. Treatment starts the same week he is diagnosed? Most of us have to wait 2-4 months. And I don't expect he will be directed to food banks when the DWP repeatedly stuffs up his ESA claim either

I think that only means ideally your referral from your gp is done within 2 weeks, after that you still have to wait several weeks for the specialist appointment then wait more weeks for any treatment or scans.

I just replied something similar on that thread.

My darling Daddy had bowel cancer last year, had surgery in June which was supposedly a success and mop up chemo. He now has lumps on his lungs and an enlarged porstate.

Turned out his tests at the beginning of 2023 showed the enlarged prostate but they did nothing about it as they had to sort the bowel first.

It makes me so angry as every step of the way we've had to chase the NHS.

I had breast cancer in 2021, I had surgery after 4 weeks diagnosis and then chemo 5 weeks later. I didn't wait months.

The NHS 'do' cancer very well I feel.

I'm not saying that it's not because he is king, but often it can just be a postcode lottery. Late last year, a friend had a biopsy, was diagnosed with cancer 10 days later on the Monday and on the Thursday he was in surgery.

Ok, so the government need to tell us that we can't rely on the NHS rather than peddle the illusion that we have cradle to grave care. My family can't afford private health care because we're paying so much tax to fund a system that's totally fucked, yet we can't get treatment when we need it - oh and don't bother complaining because no-one responds. I'd like to stop paying a proportion of tax and instead fund own healthcare, at least then I'd get what I was paying for.

Obvs Charlie's gone private, who wouldn't in his position but the optics are appalling. NHS not good enough for them but good enough for us, that's the message (not just Charlie but Kate, Phillip, every royal birth etc)

People wait for a diagnosis but once diagnosed treatment seems fairly swift from what I know.
What's more annoying is the extensive reporting on absolutely no information....we don't know what type of cancer or stage or prognosis yet press are reporting as if he is at deaths door.

Surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy - yes, can be private. Radiotherapy - no, NHS.

I'm pretty sure K.C isn't going to have NHS radiotherapy.

@Dinoswearunderpants
Bowel Cancer is more serious than prostate. They would treat that first. Chemo drugs are different according to the cancer . You can't have three different lots of chemo at the same time.

In the book, This is Going To Hurt', Adam Kay warns against giving birth privately. The NHS is so much safer according to him.

I am so grateful to the NHS for prompt, kind and efficient cancer care.

I was diagnosed and virtually started treatment straight away that was just over 5 years ago. I've had a couple of scares in the last few months and have been amazed at how fast I have been seen by the NHS.

Great to hear of the number of people seen promptly on the NHS

My dp was in surgery in less than a week from his first visit to the gp (gp fri teatime, scan sun, surgery fri early morning). All done including chemo in 8 weeks - I appreciate he got 'lucky' with an obvious, accessible cancer but it's not always 2-3 months. Much of that waiting time is collaborating with expert teams and finalising a treatment plan.

Very true but both are very treatable, prostate more so and caught in time and a bit of luck

With prostate cancer, a family friend has it, and not being treated atm as at times they can wait months or even years before operating as often very slow growing but not always

So, if you or loved ones have concerns, get it checked

My mum found a lump in her breast. Within a month she had the lump removed and started radio. It can happen quickly.
My OH had to wait 7 months before being diagonised with cancer. He died within 12 weeks. It's just the luck of the draw.

@notknowledgeable
Check the take up statistics for screening, bowel, cervical and breast. A third of people choose not to be screened. Campaign for take up and early diagnosis to save lives.

There are many private radiotherapy hospitals and clinics. The London Clinic being one.

I’m feeling quite bitter about it myself op.
DH had to wait 5 months 3 weeks for his treatment to start, by which time his cancer had spread and he is now terminal. He likely has a few months at most to live. He’s 50 and I don’t know how I’m going to cope without him.

I have a friend and a family member both recently diagnosed with cancer, both still waiting for treatment.

One diagnosed mid-Nov, one diagnosed mid-Dec. In differing parts of the country so not postcode related.
My FIL was also diagnosed last year and waited a couple of months for diagnosis. No treatment possible by that stage.

Postcode lottery, innit. He’s got a great postcode 😁

Seriously and honestly… would any one of you not do the best you could manage for your children and yourself? If you won the lottery, you wouldn’t pay off your mortgage and set up some savings for your children? What’s the point in money if not to improve life for you and your children?

Human nature suggests that we all would given the opportunity. I don’t understand why people are enraged that people who can buy themselves better care, do.

I think, people expect too much from private care. It's not that great either. I don't know about cancer care but when I've had to go private for other things there were waiting times involved as well and the care wasn't that great either. You can't get good health care neither for love nor for money here.

I think it is awful as I just remember my grandfather was not given any treatment and left to detoirate and die. They wouldn't have him in a hospice either.

From NHS diagnosis to surgery was six days for my late husband

But anyway, People with money have private medical treatment. Who knew? The king is no different from any other wealthy person. The system is unfair, but it's not like royalty vs everyone else. It's money.

He’s the king - what do you expect ! And no not 2-4 months - can depend on area but someone I know had surgery within a week on NHS so … And private healthcare through companies is now on the rise thankfully so people don’t have to wait for NHS. Have a lovely day.