Downturn debate call over cancer

Researchers have developed new but expensive treatments for cancer

A leading cancer specialist has called for an ethical debate on how best to distribute expensive new treatments.

Edinburgh University professor John Smyth said limited funds, especially at times of recession, meant difficult decisions would have to be made.

He said lawyers and ethical experts as well as doctors should join the debate on how to ration finite resources.

Prof Smyth will raise the issue at the Edinburgh International Science Festival on Monday.

He said: "Advances in medical science are taking place as the health service comes under increased pressure.

"We have an ageing population, with fewer people contributing to the national insurance budget, and this is exacerbated by a financial recession.

"Medical research is not going to slow down in the years to come, so we must determine a way to fairly distribute available resources to patients."

He also called for discussion on whether funding should be spent on one illness rather than another, for example drugs to extend the life of a terminally-ill patient or hip replacement operations.

Prof Smyth will deliver a public talk - "The future of cancer treatment - can we afford it?" - at the University of Edinburgh's Informatics Forum in Crichton Street at 1800 BST on Monday.