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

Sooner we're a Republic the better.

Sick and tired of every headline being about some old spoilt man having cancer like it's a fucking rarity in our world.

50% of people will get cancer.

Much more important things in the world to worry ourselves about.

Don't worry, he'll get the best treatment ever just to rub other sufferers noses in it.

It seems to be a postcode lottery as to how quickly you are treated.

My Dad, during COVID was diagnosed with kidney cancer and it was whipped out within a few weeks.

My poor FIL who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer has had an absolute shocking treatment, it took months to get anything in place and now it's been a couple of years and the nurses STILL are turning up to his house with incorrect details, no idea of his treatment history, leaflets for the wrong person, gdpr breaches thrown in there too. Latest episode was his being called into a clinic to look at his bladder, he can't urinate without a catheter in and he had it removed, his bladder filled, tests done and told "were closing now we've done what we need to but we don't have time to put the catheter back in, bye" he was left in agony for hours until the district nurse came out and helped him.

There is inequality with everything, it's not right but it's how the world works. Money is king.

Have you actually had cancer?

My gran had pancreatic cancer and was seen very quickly.

My best friend had breast cancer and was seen very quickly on the NHS too.

Another friend died age 22 from cancer. The only reason he died as he had no idea he had cancer but the NHS treated him quickly.

I think cancer services are generally excellent on the NHS and urgent cases are given the attention they need.

A friend of mine went for a smear, the nurse observed some visual changes, and within a week her results showed cervical cancer. She was called in to see her consultant the following day and started treatment the same day. All via the NHS.

No it's not fair but I'm sure he pays for his treatment (or insurance), like any other person who goes private. My cousin recently had treatment, surgery with 48 hours, multiple follow up visits, daily calls to check - and friend got diagnosed with the same cancer 4 weeks before her, still waiting on nhs!

There are different guidelines for different types of cancer. For example, I had a suspected BCC and was referred under a 4 week guide. I was seen by the consultant by week 3 and had the BCC removed 3 weeks later. If they had suspected a different type of skin cancer I would have been seen and treated much earlier.

A friend recently got diagnosed and started treatment within a week. I'm not sure it's equal across the country.

And, you know, he's the monarch.

No one is saying the NHS isn't in a disgraceful state but if you've got money or an employer who provides private health care, you'll get seen sooner. Charles obviously has money so what is it you're stunned about? Weird post.

Who says he's really ill? You're making things up about someone's health condition. That is in bad taste. Comparing quality of care - bad taste? Can you explain how?

Oh get away

We are only told he has cancer, we have no idea when he was actually told and yes they moved fast but maybe , like millions of others, he is going private?

if it’s nhs well so be it, different trusts have different waiting times for different cancers, we don’t know what it is or what treatment

I have cancer at the moment (in more than one place). Was diagnosed and operated on within a week. Am having surgery again on Thursday.
I just wish him well. Cancer doesn't discriminate. My treatment was been amazing.

I don't think it's groundbreaking that people with money can access healthcare more quickly is it? I don't see many people fighting for free at point of use healthcare though, so the NHS will continue to erode. It won't be long until GP appointments and treatments you can get quicker, but like dentistry you'll have to pay. With the intro of PAs ramping up you'll be lucky to see a doctor in a decade or less unless you're private.

My sister's treatment started straight away.

I had a lump on my breast-diagnosed in days and removed very quickly.
On the NHS.

Imagine the uproar if he had used the NHS and taken someone's spot in a queue...

My friends treatment started immediately.

stunned ? That's just ridiculous.

Same. A 2-4 month wait for treatment was not the experience of those I know who've had cancer.

Again, take advantage of any Cancer screening programmes.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-68071846
The charity reminds women -
Cervical cancer is "almost completely preventable",

It's not because he's the king, its because he can afford to pay top whack.

My mum's treatment was due to start 4 months after and by that point she was so weak it was too late. After the initial diagnosis, it took 3 months to see an actual consultant as up until that point we only saw Macmillan nurses who couldn't do anything. Despite the family chasing and making hundreds of calls, begging and pleading for them to speed things up and at least give pain relief that worke...it wall fell on deaf ears.

I felt because she was already at stage 4 and in her late 60's, they just didn't care and left her to die in agony. It was absolutely disgusting how my mum was treated and how she was completely let down by the NHS.

My Dad has had a similar experience with prostate cancer and it took over 9 months from diagnosis to treatment to start. The organisation and aftercare has been awful with no follow ups and endless chasing for test results.

Changes to the 2 Week Wait (2WW) system announced last year:

Source: Cancer Research UK

NHS England are retiring one cancer waiting times target, the 2 Week Wait (2WW), which aims for people with suspected cancer to see a specialist within 14 days of being urgently referred by their GP or a cancer screening programme, and replacing it with the FDS [Faster Diagnosis Standard].

https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2023/08/17/breaking-down-nhs-englands-changes-in-standards-for-cancer-care/

Breaking down changes in NHS cancer waiting times in England

What’s changing?

In England, the NHS are streamlining 10 existing standards into 3 key cancer waiting time standards with associated targets:

The 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS) The standard:

People should have cancer ruled out or receive a diagnosis within 28 days

NHS target: 75% of people should meet this standard

Who does it apply to?

People who have been urgently referred:

• by a GP for suspected cancer
• following an abnormal cancer screening result
• by a GP for breast symptoms (where cancer is not suspected)

62-day referral to treatment standard

The standard: People with cancer should begin treatment within two months (62 days) of an urgent referral

NHS target: 85% of people should meet this standard

Who does it apply to?

People with cancer who have been urgently referred:

• by a GP for suspected cancer
• following an abnormal cancer screening result
• By a consultant who suspects cancer following other investigations (also known as ‘upgrades’)

31-day decision to treat to treatment standard

The standard: People with cancer should begin their treatment within a month (31 days) of deciding to treat their cancer

NHS target: 96% of people should meet this standard

Who does it apply to?

• Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, including people who have cancer which has returned.

Why do the old targets need to be replaced?

NHS England are retiring one cancer waiting times target, the 2 Week Wait (2WW), which aims for people with suspected cancer to see a specialist within 14 days of being urgently referred by their GP or a cancer screening programme, and replacing it with the FDS.

We support this move, because the 2WW doesn’t set expectations for how long someone will wait to have any tests they need, for the test results to come back, and for them to be told whether or not they have cancer...

I had a cancer scare during Covid.
I had an ultrasound, transvaginal ultrasound, hysteroscopy & the all clear within a fortnight.

The diagnostic teams were basically twiddling their thumbs as they were only seeing inpatients - everyone else was staying at home as per government instruction.

I'm so sorry ((@FutureUncertain ))

The two week pathway is between gp referral and tests. Seeing a GP can take weeks or months. Getting test results can take weeks or months. Getting treatment started after test results can take weeks or months. But in any case, the aim to get tested within 2 weeks of GP referral is often missed anyway.

But it is good to hear of so many people who were seen and treated quickly