Cancer 'a rich man's disease', scientist says

Fighting cancer is easier for the wealthy, says top scientist Sir Paul Callaghan who is choosing to buy drugs privately to fight his own life-threatening condition.

He is using money from a prestigious American prize awarded to him today to help pay the $28,000 cost of drugs he is taking for colon cancer.

"My physicians tell me it's incurable, but it would be nice to surprise them," the Victoria University physics professor told the Dominion Post.

"I'm getting a full course of chemotherapy at taxpayer expense but, in addition to that, I'm getting another drug not funded by Pharmac.

"Cancer is a rich man's disease - you don't want to be poor and have cancer."

The actions of Sir Paul, 62, follow those of Infratil boss Lloyd Morrison, who spent time in the United States receiving treatment for an aggressive form of leukaemia.

Neither is critical of government funding for cancer drugs, but Sir Paul said fighting the disease was easier if you were wealthy.

Mr Morrison, 52, this year said he supported government drug-buying agency Pharmac's approach, as "we should cater for the most common issues, not rarities".

But he was critical of restrictions that stopped people from importing drugs and having them administered through the public system.

Health Minister Tony Ryall told the paper the Government spent an extra $40 million on medicines last year.

"The Government is concerned about New Zealanders' access to all medicines, including those for cancer."

- NZPA