Cancer patients TEN TIMES more likely to die within a month of chemo at certain hospitals, study finds
‘Over enthusiastic' prescribing of drugs and failure to monitor patients at home can contribute to higher death rates
CANCER patients are ten times more likely to die within a month of starting chemotherapy at some hospitals compared to others, it has been revealed.
An NHS Study found “over enthusiastic” prescribing of chemo drugs, which damage the immune system, and failure to monitor patients at home can contribute to higher mortality rates.
Public Health England has told 19 hospital trusts to review their cancer treatment urgently after new data showed that too many patients die within 30 days.
The Lancet Oncology studied more than 30,000 patients with breast or lung cancer and surveyed 147 trusts.
They found 94 patients died within 30 days of starting their most recent treatment, when it was given with the intention to cure.
Early death rates from clinical trials in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with curative intent are around 0.8 per cent.
The new study found a death rate four times higher across the NHS at 8.47 per cent.
Around 55,000 women in Britain are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and 40 per cent receive chemotherapy.
For the 12 per cent with small cell lung cancer, it is the first course of treatment.
The chemotherapy death rates for 11 hospitals treating breast cancer and 12 treating lung cancer were so high that Public Health England has now ordered a review
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The National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service and Cancer Research UK led the study, using data from PHE.
Experts hope doctors will use the findings to decide which patients are suitable for chemotherapy and which are not.
Those who die within 30 days of starting treatment are likely to have suffered nasty side-effects but enjoyed none of the benefits.
Dr Jem Rashbass, from PHE, said: “Chemotherapy is a vital part of cancer treatment and is a large reason behind the improved survival rates over last four decades.
“However, it is powerful medication with significant side effects and often getting the balance right on which patients to treat aggressively can be hard."
Professor Jane Maher, from Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Access to this real–world data is crucial for health professionals to help them better understand the delicate balancing act when comparing the risk of death or severe side effects and the potential increase in survival if chemotherapy is administered.
An NHS England spokesman said: “Cancer survival rates have never been higher, and chemotherapy often plays a crucial role. But for some patients the short-term toxic effects of aggressive treatment can be difficult to tolerate.
“Patients’ ability to shape the treatment and care they receive is at the heart of our cancer strategy.”