More people than ever are getting life-saving cancer checks compared to 10 years ago, new figures from NHS England have revealed.
The April of 2013 saw just under 104,000 urgent referrals get made which dwarfs in comparison to the more-than 218,000 that occurred in the April of this year.
With more people being screened for cancer, and therefore more cancers getting caught earlier, survival rates have also “steadily” climbed over the last 10 years.
The health service also puts this down to advancements in treatment, with the jump in referrals also correlating to the increase in investment into cancer awareness campaigns.
NHS England’s national cancer director, Dame Cally Palmer, highlighted the 2.8 million people that received urgent diagnoses last year along with the 328,000 that started treatment thanks to the “hard work” of staff and the effects of information campaigns.
“That record year comes despite huge demand and pressure on our staff and is an incredible achievement,” Dame Cally Palmer added.
The news follows shortly after the health service announced a national rollout of innovative Teledermatology technology that will allow dermatologists to double their daily footfall of patients, benefiting tens of thousands.
The launch of community diagnostic centres (CDCs) were also noted as central parts to the puzzle with health secretary, Steve Barclay, recently confirming the government’s intention to setup eight more before the end of the year.
Also to the benefit of tens of thousands, CDCs will cut unnecessary hospital visits and enable more convenient care for patients, according to Barclay.
