Two campaigns called for improvements on Wednesday, as the Commons All-Party Group on Cancer held its Britain Against Cancer conference and Macmillan Cancer Relief launched its Voice for Life initiative. Prime Minister Tony Blair promised to improve services when he met leading cancer specialists at Downing Street last month. But those involved in Wednesday's activities say a great deal of concern remains over the future of cancer services. Macmillan commissioned two surveys that revealed patients wanted more information about cancer services and were needlessly alarmed about cancer by reports they saw in the media. One of the surveys looked at the coverage given to cancer in 18 national newspapers over six months from October 1998.
Tamoxifen is a well established treatment . . .
Thirty-seven preventive measures were covered including chocolate, arsenic and mud. Twelve cures were mentioned ranging from the proven drug Tamoxifen to experimental treatments such as scorpion poison, shark cartilage and mistletoe. For those facing what is already a very difficult time in their lives we don't think that is acceptable or responsible. Patient experiences Macmillan's other survey focussed on patients' experiences of cancer care. Professor Gordon McVie, director general of the Cancer Research Campaign, said specialists had been working to improve their communications skills.