SERIOUSLY ill breast cancer patients are having to wait up to three months for vital radiotherapy because of a lack of funding, a consultant has claimed.

And three women have gone on to develop the disease for a second time while awaiting treatment in the past few months, something virtually unheard of, according to Peter Jones.

Mr Jones, a consultant breast surgeon at the Kent Oncology Centre at Maidstone Hospital, said he felt forced to speak out after one of his patients had to have a mastectomy while waiting for radiotherapy, which, he believes, she would not have needed had she been treated sooner.

Mr Jones said: "Women at the moment are waiting for three months after surgery for radiotherapy. It is the most appalling situation and completely unacceptable."

Bob Deans, director of commissioning for the West Kent PCT, one of the three Kent PCTs which funds the service, pledged that an urgent review would be ordered for funding of the service.

* SEE THE KENT MESSENGER (JANUARY 26) FOR THE FULL STORY.