UK faces north/south divide on cancer
pharmafile | December 1, 2009 | News story | Sales and Marketing |Â Â Cancer, NHSÂ
There is a marked north/south divide when it comes to cancer patients’ chances of recovery, according to new statistics.
The Department of Health’s second annual Cancer Reform Strategy report points to considerable regional variation in cancer services and outcomes.
Many more PCTs in the north are among the worst performers when it comes to overall cancer mortality rates, compared with the south – though the picture in London is mixed.
Using The Care Quality Commission rating, most PCTs achieved their cancer mortality target reductions – but more than half of the PCTs that did not are in London and the north west.
For example, one-year survival rates for colorectal cancer stand at 71% overall – but only one PCT, Telford& Wrekin, achieved the international “good practice” level of 79%.
Of the 11 PCTs with survival rates below 65%, five were in London, two in the North-west and one in Yorkshire & Humberside.
“Survival rates vary across the country, particularly in deprived areas,” says health secretary Andy Burnham.
The report would “highlight to the NHS where they need to take action”, he added.
National cancer director Mike Richards said all PCTs should use the data to take action to improve outcomes.
“The challenge now is to keep up this momentum and this year I have identified tackling local variations as my top priority,” he said.
Raising awareness of cancer and promoting early diagnosis are essential to improve survival rates, the report says.
“One-year survival rates reflect late diagnosis and are poor across the country,” explains Richards.
Cancer mortality is also falling much more slowly in people over 75 years than in younger people, and this fall is also slower than in other developed countries.
However, Richards added that great strides had been made with the national implementation of the Cancer Reform Strategy, which was laid out in December 2007.
Around 78% of 12-13 year-old girls are now vaccinated against cervical cancer, and bowel cancer screening for 60-69 year-olds has been introduced.
And a government pledge to give patients key diagnostic tests within one week of seeing their GP should save thousands more lives.
“We have seen a further fall in cancer mortality with the latest data showing a drop of almost 20% since 1997 and considerable improvements in the survival rates for breast, colon, rectum and prostate cancer,” Richards concluded.
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