01.05.10
Mapping cancer
New figures from the National Cancer Intelligence Network show that more people are living with and beyond cancer.
The report, launched by Macmillan Cancer Support, shows the variation across the UK in the number of people alive after a cancer diagnosis in the last one, five and ten years. These data highlighting cancer prevalence are useful for long term cancer care, for planning local treatment and to support services of patients living with a diagnosis of cancer.
There are currently two million people living with a cancer diagnosis1. This figure is increasing at a rate of 3% per year so the number will increase in future years. At the end of 2006, there were 1.1 million people in the UK (1,501 per 100,000) living with and beyond cancer, who had been diagnosed with cancer up to ten years ago. By nation, this equates to 939,000 people in England; 100,000 in Scotland; 63,000 in Wales; and 29,000 in Northern Ireland.
For all cancers, Dorset Cancer Network had the highest proportion of people living with and beyond cancer, with the lowest prevalence in Sussex Cancer Network for ten years from diagnosis.
Across the United Kingdom, the highest prevalence was for women living with and beyond breast cancer and for men living with and beyond prostate cancer. These cancers have relatively good prognosis, and account for larger proportions of cancer prevalence than they do for cancer incidence. Female breast cancer accounted for 48 per cent of female cancer prevalence (296,000 females) in those who had been diagnosed with cancer up to ten years ago; prostate cancer accounted for 36 per cent of male cancer prevalence (181,000 males).
Colorectal cancer was the second most prevalent cancer in males (15 per cent) and females (10 per cent), with around 144,000 people. Lung cancer has a poor prognosis and therefore accounts for a very small proportion (3-4 per cent) of ten-year cancer prevalence, with around 38,000 people.
Ciaran Devane, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “This new cancer map should be used to help shape the NHS services of the future. The long term health problems of people living with and beyond cancer are creating an increasing pressure on the NHS. We know from research that the long term impact cancer treatment has on patients can be very debilitating and require further treatment and support. These new statistics show that cancer is no longer necessarily a death sentence and NHS services need to adapt to offer the right long term care to these people.”
Paul Burstow, Care Services Minister, said: "It's great news that survival rates for many cancers are improving. This will provide increased hope to patients undergoing treatment and their families.
"Our next step is to ensure the very best care for all cancer survivors. We are working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to identify improvements that can be made. It is vital that everyone receives the level of support they need following treatment”
Professor Sir Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, said: “Survival rates for cancer are improving year by year, with more people being alive at any one time who have had a diagnosis of cancer. These maps, based on data from cancer registries, shed new light on the geography of cancer in the UK. Through the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative (NCSI) we are working to ensure that survivors get the care and support they need to lead as healthy and active a life as possible, for as long as possible.”
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