THOUSANDS of breast cancer patients are being denied life-changing surgery on the NHS, a damning report reveals.

More than a quarter of health boards in England have policies to restrict breast reconstruction for tumour survivors, it shows.

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Campaigners blame NHS cost-cutting for the “arbitrary” policies, which include limits on the number of surgeries, time deadlines or refusing ops to match the unaffected breast to the one reconstructed.

Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now, urged immediate action.

She said: “It’s totally unacceptable that any patient is  denied reconstructive surgery or rushed into life-changing decisions at such a difficult time.

“Reconstructive surgery has prof­ound benefits, helping give many their confidence and lives back.”

Some 11,500 wo­m­en a year have mastectomies and can seek re­cons­truc­t­ion later.

But a Breast Cancer Now report says 47 of 208 NHS health boards have policies restricting access.

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It means around 950 women could be missing out every year.

NHS guidance says such ops should be available without time restrictions.

A spokesman said: “We’re working with local services to ensure consistent care is available to all.”

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