UK First Nation to Rollout 7-Minute Cancer Jab

Facts

• On Tuesday, the National Health Service (NHS) announced that the UK will be the first country in the world to offer a jab that treats cancer in seven minutes.¹
• The NHS will reportedly treat 3.6K patients — who suffer from lung, breast, liver, and bladder cancers, among others. The time-saving injection will be administered annually.²
• The announcement comes after the NHS faced public criticism over a soaring number of patient referrals and the staggering delays in the onset of treatment.³
• Currently, cancer patients receive an intravenous treatment that can take 30-60 minutes to administer. The new treatment, atezolizumab —which is an immunotherapy drug also known as Tecentriq — is around 75% quicker and much less invasive.⁴
• Atezolizumab blocks a protein that stops the immune system from attacking the invasive cells. In cases where the patient has had both surgery and chemotherapy, trial data shows a 34% reduction in the recurrence of the cancer or death.¹
• As a result of a deal struck between the NHS and Tecentriq's manufacturer, Roche, patients receiving the speedy treatment will do so at no additional cost.³

Sources: ¹The Guardian, ²England, ³The Telegraph, and ⁴Daily Mail.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by INews. Atezolizumab's rollout will free up valuable time for NHS cancer teams as well as reduce cancer patients' waiting times for appointments and delays in receiving treatment. This is another example of the UK government's commitment to investing in cancer research, prevention, and treatment.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by BBC News. Doctors and specialists across the UK are sounding the alarm as critical, life-saving treatment for thousands of patients is delayed due to staffing shortages and COVID backlogs. Before rolling out Atezolizumab, the NHS and the UK governments must develop and implement a strategy addressing its healthcare system shortcomings that cost people their lives.

Predictions