Treatments For Your Cancer

We say that we offer the most advanced cancer treatment available in the world. But what does this really mean?

Our Treatment Protocols

We always use the best international treatment protocols for our patients. Protocols is the term used to describe the definitions of accepted Best Practice, defined on the basis of the very best expert opinion and research. These have usually been developed in the leading cancer centres in the world and have been reviewed by the most highly regarded international experts (this is what is known as the peer review process).

Latest Treatments

Sometimes these protocols (or treatment definitions) may differ from the United Kingdom national guidelines. Drugs may not always have been approved by NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence and Cost Effectiveness) for use in the Health Service, although the role of NICE in this regard is currently (November 2010) being redefined. 

Some of these drugs may nevertheless be in general use in other types of cancer treatment and their side effects and problems will often be well known to us. At other times drugs may be registered in other countries, for example in the United States of America, where they may have been approved by the FDA, but not yet registered in the EU or the United Kingdom. 

If the treatment is acknowledged internationally as a step forward but is not registered in this country, we will make every effort to obtain it for our patients, and we will usually be able to access the drug. 

On some occasions there can be compelling evidence of a major advance as a result of large trials, and yet the final drug approval process will only be completed after many more months. In those circumstances we will again strive to obtain the drug for our patients as soon as is possible. 

Access to New Drugs

Because we are so close to the research process - we attend and speak at conferences to discuss the results - and because we write papers on new approaches to cancer treatment, we really do know which trials, and which drugs, seem to be the most promising. Wherever possible, and subject to the many regulations which control how soon a drug can be made more widely available, we strive to ensure that those of our patients who might benefit from an advance have access to these new drugs.

Drug Trials

Each year billions of pounds are spent on cancer research by research institutions, pharmaceutical companies and groups of doctors in different countries, all working together. Real progress is constantly being made. Trials of new treatments and drugs take place all over the globe every single day of the year. After a new drug or therapy has been through all the stages of testing it is then licensed for use. 

We are all totally committed to tracking and following the best research results and applying the benefits of these research advances to treatments for those in our care. Many of us are involved personally in these trials. 

Until now, private cancer centres did not have their own drug development units, unless they were a part of a NHS hospital, but in early 2011 we will be partnering with the leading US organisation assessing new cancer drugs – Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) - when they open a UK drug trials unit next door to us at No 93 Harley Street. This will be known as Sarah Cannon UK. This will bring the huge benefit for our patients of access to some of the most promising new cancer drug trials. For more information about Sarah Cannon UK, click here.

If you want to know more about drug trials, ask your consultant who will advise you on what is relevant to your situation, or if you want to search yourself, go to the The Macmillan Cancer Support website.