Cancer patients would have equal access to services if guidelines were implemented

WHILE Europa Donna Ireland — the Irish Breast Cancer Campaign — welcomes improvements in survival rates, we are yet again dismayed by the evidence of regional disparities in treatment and survival as shown in the latest report from the National Cancer Registry (Irish Examiner, March 27).

We note the opinion of the registry that these variations are likely to be due to differences in local policies and access to services rather than to the seriousness of the patient’s condition.

We welcomed the publication of A Strategy for Cancer Control in June 2006 and called at the time for its speedy implementation. We believe that, given the resources, this strategy would provide universal equality of access to best quality practice in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In particular we want to see the appointment of a director of cancer services as recommended in the document.