Consultants in Bradford have said patients under their care would not be prevented from having cancer treatment simply because of their age.

Doctors Michael Crawford (above) and Andy Conn were speaking yesterday after charity Macmillan Cancer Support said age discrimination was a barrier to treatment which needed tackling.

Research by the charity and National Cancer Intelligence Network found that more than 130,000 people in the UK have survived for at least ten years after being diagnosed with cancer at 65 or over – but it said if UK survival rates in this age group were not so poor this number would be even higher.

Dr Crawford, consultant medical oncologist for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The treatment for all our cancer patients is discussed at multi-disciplinary team meetings and we would always take into account the individual's medical state.”

“A decision not to offer treatment would be made if the patient was too frail - but not simply because of their age. We are very meticulous on that point.”