Cancer patients in Epping Forest will have two-thirds less spent on their treatment then their London neighbours, it has been revealed.

NHS figures show each person in the district with cancer will have £5,663 spent on drugs, surgery and specialist care.

This compares to patients in Tower Hamlets, who have an average of just under £15,000 spent on them each year.

South West Essex primary care trust, which includes and Basildon and Brentwood, spend an average £9,000 on each cancer patient.

But one recovered cancer sufferer said the figures belied the "excellent" care she had recieved from NHS West Essex.

Mrs Gloria Arber, 70, from Farm Hill Road, Waltham Abbey, was diagnosed with breast cancer after a chance screening.

Mrs Arber, who is now in remission said they PCT "acted extremely quickly and efficiently."

She said: "I went for a random community scan, there was no symptoms of my cancer, and after having the scan they called me back for more testing within two days.

"They discovered I had cancer and the cogs just seemed to move very quickly from there. I was called in for a first operation, but they weren't able to get it all, so I went in for a second a week later.

“All in all, it took five weeks from me having that first scan by chance to having it all removed. The quality of healthcare I recieved as excellent.

"I think it's a case of quality over quantity. All the other women on my ward and I have remained in contact and we all agree that we had the best care possible."