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<p>NHS England is committed to transforming cancer care across England for all cancers,
including breast cancer, aiming to reduce inequality and promoting equity of access
to services. To support this ambition, NHS England has committed more than £200 million
in 2017/18 and 2018/19 to fund Cancer Alliances to accelerate early diagnosis of cancer,
improve survival and enhance quality of life.</p><p> </p><p>In February 2018, in partnership
with the Department and NHS England, Public Health England (PHE) launched a Be Clear
on Cancer Campaign focused on Breast Cancer in women aged over 70 to raise awareness
of specific symptoms and encourage those with symptoms to visit their doctor.</p><p>
</p><p>To improve the uptake of screening, NHS England is continuing to invest in
initiatives to help ensure equality of access, including through locally targeted
interventions. These include text and general practitioner reminders and PHE’s new
‘Breast screening: easy guide’, which helps women decide whether screening is right
for them.</p><p> </p><p>NHS England agreed a Commercial Access Agreement with Roche
for Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) which brought the confidential purchase price
below the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence cost-effectiveness threshold,
allowing approval in routine commissioning. This is offering breast cancer patients
precious quality time with their families without damaging side effects.</p><p> </p><p>Finally,
we are committed to rolling out stratified follow-up pathways for breast cancer patients
by 2020, to ensure patients get the right care after treatment, including information
and support to spot signs and symptoms of recurrence or secondary cancer. As well
as providing a better experience for patients and ensuring they have the information
they need, stratified pathways can offer more effective use of resources by freeing
up outpatient capacity. They can also ensure that in cases where there is recurrence
or secondary cancer, patients are supported to return to care quickly and effectively.</p>
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