Disease discrimination and age discrimination have developed within the NHS and many patients may be dying unnecessarily

Professor Martyn Partridge, BTS

This has led the BTS and the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons (SCTS) to press the government to increase the number of lung cancer operations in the UK and the number of thoracic surgeons.

They want an extra 50 thoracic surgeons to meet European average standards. There are currently fewer than 40 in the UK.

Professor Partridge said: "Lung cancer patients in the UK, especially those over 75, are not getting the treatment they deserve.

"It seems that disease discrimination and age discrimination have developed within the NHS and many patients may be dying unnecessarily.

"We hope this government will take note of our recommendations and take action to improve survival rates for patients with lung cancer."

More surgeons

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the UK with more than 40,000 new cases diagnosed annually, but survival rates are among the lowest in Europe, according to the BTS.

UK lung cancer patients have very poor survival rates - only 20% are alive within a year of diagnosis and 5% within five years.

Consultant in medical oncology at Hammersmith Hospital Dr Michael Seckl said there is an urgent need for more thoracic surgeons.

He said: "My feeling is we need double the number of thoracic surgeons.

"There are 40,000 new cases of lung cancer every year. How can 40 surgeons cope?

We acknowledge there is currently a lack of surgical provision for lung cancer sufferers

Department of Health

"When you think these operations can be curative, you could cure 20% of lung cancer cases, that's useful life gained for people."

Professor Tom Treasure from the SCTS said: "At the moment there are only 30 dedicated thoracic surgeons for England and Wales and when you think this is the commonest cancer, that's woefully few."

The BTS and SCTS are also calling for an increase in beds to meet the objectives set out in the National Cancer Plan.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said: "We acknowledge there is currently a lack of surgical provision for lung cancer sufferers.

"However, we are working on a number of other initiatives that are improving and will improve lung cancer care."

Eighteen additional trained specialists will be in place by 2004.

An international recruitment campaign has also led to 32 expressions of interest from consultants specialising in cardiothoracic surgery.