03.07.13
Bowel cancer survey shows value of surgery
The survival rate for patients with bowel cancer who undergo surgery is far higher than those who do not, new research shows.
The National Bowel Cancer Audit found that in England and Wales between April 2008 and March 2010, four in five patients who underwent major surgery lived beyond two years of diagnosis. Of those who were either too frail or had cancer too advanced to benefit from surgery, only two out of five survived this long.
The audit has been developed by the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) and the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership.
HSCIC stated that further investigation is needed to define the reasons why some do not have major surgery.
Nigel Scott, audit clinical lead and consultant colorectal surgeon at the Royal Preston Hospital, said: “The National Bowel Cancer Audit has demonstrated some very positive progress in the management of bowel cancer by specialised teams of surgeons, oncologists, nurse specialists, radiologists, pathologists and anaesthetists in England and Wales. Correct patient selection and postoperative care has delivered a fall in postoperative mortality of one third in just a few years.
“In addition these better outcomes immediately after surgery are matched by 80% of patients surviving at least two years or more – a testimony to bowel cancer multidisciplinary working in England and Wales. Alongside all of this progress the widespread adoption of laparoscopic operations represents another success story for bowel cancer care in these countries.
“The downside continues to be the much poorer outcomes associated with not operating because of advanced disease. Blood, bowels and poo tend to get sat on, as embarrassment puts people off from seeing the doctor. Getting past the bathroom door and seeking the support of a health professional is the best means of finding a cancer as soon as possible
“A related problem is the late emergency admission with a blocked bowel. These emergency bowel cancer patients tend to be older and frailer and out-of-hours provision of services, including interventional radiology and stenting, are patchy.”
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