The very fact that there are such drugs at all is the result of a great deal of Government, private and charity money going into research. This country leads the world in cancer research, and many forms of cancer which were once a death sentence are now curable as a result of the hard work of British scientists. New treatments are becoming available that can prolong and improve the quality of life for people beyond anything that could previously be imagined.
Sadly, this all comes at a massive financial cost, and there is not a limitless supply of cash. It is the job of the people that run the NHS to decide where to allocate resources and they are always going to receive critisism from those who feel that they're not getting enough of the pie.
Another inevitable conclusion of the improvement in diagnosis and treatment of illness is that people live longer. This means that the available resources are spread over a larger, older population.
It's a complete fucker that the NHS can't step in and cure everything that's wrong with them, especially when it's someone that we feel is important to us. But, as GlasVegas says, we need a more informed and intelegent debate than just pointing the finger around at the authority figures.
To accuse the NHS and the UK Government of lacking in effort in the detection and treatment of cancer is frankly insulting to the people who have devoted their lives to this important field.
Do some reading and find out what you're talking about. Here's a good start...
ICR Homepage
The way they are funded
Well said
..Through the Wind, walk on through the Rain.
Though your dreams be tossed and Blown. YNWA.. You'll Ne- ever walk alone.
Cheers for all the work. It's touched the Globe right 'round.
Nice touch to his plight and plea... 
