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CANCER

French cancer patients hit by scanner shortage

France is making progress in its battle to cut cancer rates, but a worrying shortage of MRI scanning machines in the country means patients are left waiting over a month for "urgent" scans, a new report revealed this week.

French cancer patients hit by scanner shortage
France has a shortage of MRI scanners, meaning cancer patients are waiting too long. Photo: JGmarcelino/flickr

According to a new health survey published on Thursday the French healthcare system, which is held in high regard throughout the world, has 10.1 MRI scanners per million inhabitants.

That compares poorly with other countries in Western Europe where on average they have about double the number of scanners per capita. Germany and Denmark are leading the way, with about 30 machines per million residents.

The shortfall in France means French cancer patients are having to wait for vital scans, even when their cases are deemed urgent. The average waiting time is 30 days, despite the fact that a 2010 government initiative called "Plan Cancer" aimed to bring that wait down to only two weeks. 

The French Health Ministry presented its review on Thursday and lauded the progress that had been made in the struggle against cancer. Some 85 percent of recommendations made in the 2009-2013 "Plan Cancer" are being actively addressed and around 60 percent of the recommendations made in the report are already in place or will be by the end of 2013. 

Yet the MRI scan shortage was a real cause for concern, as was France's inability to tackle the longstanding issue of tobacco consumption that was leading to an elevated number of lung cancer cases compared to the rest of Europe.

One in four cancer deaths in the country are related to smoking, which affects the unemployed and women disproportionately and thus "contributes to inequalities", the report found.

Of those diagnosed with the disease around 12 percent of women and 13 percent of men suffered from lung cancer.

When it came to cancer in the lungs Hungary was the country with the most reported cases among men while Sweden had the lowest number, according to figures from the European Cancer Observatory.

With 42.2 cases of lung cancer per 100,000 inhabitants, France finds itself at the top of the European chart alongside the Benelux nations, Poland, Hungary, Serbia and Croatia, among others. Ireland and Portugal had among the lowest numbers.

In France the most prevalent cancer among women is breast cancer and among men it is prostate cancer. 

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COST OF LIVING

Emergency room visits to cost 50 francs in Switzerland

People who visit the emergency room for non-urgent treatment will now need to pay 50 francs after the Swiss government issued final approval for a rule change.

An ambulance approaches Geneva University Hospital. Emergency room visits will now cost 50 francs in Switzerland. Photo: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
An ambulance approaches Geneva University Hospital. Emergency room visits will now cost 50 francs in Switzerland. Photo: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

The proposal was originally developed by Zurich National Council member Thomas Weibel and received approval by the National Council in 2019. 

The Council of States on Wednesday accepted the parliamentary initiative, meaning that people who seek treatment in the emergency room for non-urgent health issues a fee of 50 francs. 

This will be introduced as a co-pay, meaning that the patients would have to pay out of their own pockets (i.e. it will not be covered by insurance). 

READ MORE: Switzerland to introduce 50 franc fee for emergency room visits

MPs argued that this measure may dissuade those who are not seriously ill from going to the emergency room and overloading the system, while also taking medical staff away from patients who need urgent help.

Opponents countered that this may discourage people from visiting hospital who actually need treatment, however the measure passed with a narrow majority. 

EXPLAINED: Everything you need to know about health insurance in Switzerland

No concrete indications were given as to what amounts to ’non-urgent’ treatment in the eyes of the law.

This is expected to be laid out by the National Council who are now charged with the responsibility of drafting the rules. 

Exemptions could apply to children and adolescents under the age of 16, patients referred to the emergency room by a doctor, and those whose treatment subsequently requires hospitalisation.

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