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UK 'lags behind' on cancer deaths | UK 'lags behind' on cancer deaths |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Cancer survival in the UK is still below the European average, despite recent improvements, a report says. | Cancer survival in the UK is still below the European average, despite recent improvements, a report says. |
Survival rates in lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancer were lower in the UK compared with everywhere except eastern Europe. | Survival rates in lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancer were lower in the UK compared with everywhere except eastern Europe. |
The Eurocare studies of 23 countries looked at the outcome of 2.7m new cases between 1995 and 1999. | The Eurocare studies of 23 countries looked at the outcome of 2.7m new cases between 1995 and 1999. |
Government cancer "tsar" Mike Richards said poor results in the UK had been due to delays spotting the disease. | Government cancer "tsar" Mike Richards said poor results in the UK had been due to delays spotting the disease. |
The studies, published in the Lancet Oncology journal, are the largest international projects to compare the survival of patients from 11 different cancers. | The studies, published in the Lancet Oncology journal, are the largest international projects to compare the survival of patients from 11 different cancers. |
See the main results | See the main results |
They reveal wide differences in death rates from both rare and common types of cancer. | They reveal wide differences in death rates from both rare and common types of cancer. |
Our concerns illustrate the considerable challenges that now face the UK government if it is to make the NHS work efficiently and effectively Editorial, Lancet Oncology | Our concerns illustrate the considerable challenges that now face the UK government if it is to make the NHS work efficiently and effectively Editorial, Lancet Oncology |
The best performers are Nordic countries such as Sweden and Norway and central European countries. | The best performers are Nordic countries such as Sweden and Norway and central European countries. |
Ranked just beneath them are south European countries, and lower still is the UK, followed by Eastern European countries. | Ranked just beneath them are south European countries, and lower still is the UK, followed by Eastern European countries. |
While death rates have fallen in the UK, they have also fallen in the rest of Europe. | While death rates have fallen in the UK, they have also fallen in the rest of Europe. |
Some eastern European countries almost matched the UK's performance despite spending less than a third of the UK's health budget per head of population. | Some eastern European countries almost matched the UK's performance despite spending less than a third of the UK's health budget per head of population. |
Overall, for men Sweden had the best survival rates with 60% of cancer patients alive five years after diagnosis, compared to between 40% and 50% among the UK countries. | Overall, for men Sweden had the best survival rates with 60% of cancer patients alive five years after diagnosis, compared to between 40% and 50% among the UK countries. |
For women, Sweden and Iceland were top on 62% with Wales, England and Northern Ireland just below the European average of 56%, while Scotland was among the worse on 48% | For women, Sweden and Iceland were top on 62% with Wales, England and Northern Ireland just below the European average of 56%, while Scotland was among the worse on 48% |
Delayed diagnosis | Delayed diagnosis |
An editorial in the Lancet Oncology questioned whether the NHS Cancer Plan, launched to tackle poor survival rates in the UK, was working. | An editorial in the Lancet Oncology questioned whether the NHS Cancer Plan, launched to tackle poor survival rates in the UK, was working. |
"Eurocare is an important indicator of oncology provision in Europe, giving insight into healthcare effectiveness and the improvements needed. | "Eurocare is an important indicator of oncology provision in Europe, giving insight into healthcare effectiveness and the improvements needed. |
"Our concerns illustrate the considerable challenges that now face the UK government if it is to make the NHS work efficiently and effectively." | "Our concerns illustrate the considerable challenges that now face the UK government if it is to make the NHS work efficiently and effectively." |
Professor Richards conceded that while some of the data from European countries could be flawed, this was unlikely to account for all of the differences between countries. | Professor Richards conceded that while some of the data from European countries could be flawed, this was unlikely to account for all of the differences between countries. |
"The findings show that many more lives could be saved if the outcomes in all countries were brought up to the standards of the best countries." | "The findings show that many more lives could be saved if the outcomes in all countries were brought up to the standards of the best countries." |
He added: "The poor results from the UK were attributable mainly to patients having more advanced disease at diagnosis than patients in other European countries." | He added: "The poor results from the UK were attributable mainly to patients having more advanced disease at diagnosis than patients in other European countries." |
'Must ensure access' | 'Must ensure access' |
The NHS Cancer Plan was launched in 2000, and promised an increase in specialist staff and equipment to tackle the delays in diagnosing and treating cancer. | The NHS Cancer Plan was launched in 2000, and promised an increase in specialist staff and equipment to tackle the delays in diagnosing and treating cancer. |
Strict targets on the waiting times for scans and appointments were set. | Strict targets on the waiting times for scans and appointments were set. |
Professor Richard Sullivan, Cancer Research UK's director of clinical programmes, said the figures showed the plan was beginning to make a difference. | Professor Richard Sullivan, Cancer Research UK's director of clinical programmes, said the figures showed the plan was beginning to make a difference. |
But he added: "Cancer is still not being diagnosed early enough in all cases. And we need to ensure that patients have access to the best surgery, radiotherapy and other treatments. | But he added: "Cancer is still not being diagnosed early enough in all cases. And we need to ensure that patients have access to the best surgery, radiotherapy and other treatments. |
"This study shows that cancer is certainly not a 'ticked box'. We need a sustained effort to beat the disease." | "This study shows that cancer is certainly not a 'ticked box'. We need a sustained effort to beat the disease." |
5-YEAR SURVIVAL RATES FOR ALL CANCERS Countries grouped then ordered by total national expenditure on health | 5-YEAR SURVIVAL RATES FOR ALL CANCERS Countries grouped then ordered by total national expenditure on health |
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