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The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Speed of improvement in cancer survival rates ‘slowing', say experts
A national cancer plan was 'essential' to 'bring cancer survival trends back towards the best in the world', researchers said. The study, led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and funded by Cancer Research UK, analysed long-term trends in the cancer survival index (CSI) for adults across England and Wales from 1971 to 2018. Using records from the National Disease Registration Service for England and the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, experts estimated net survival for up to 10 years after diagnosis for around 10.8 million people. They found that in 2018, the CSI for all cancers combined a decade after diagnosis was 49.8%, higher than the CSI at one year for those diagnosed in 1971/72. Researchers hailed the figure as 'remarkable', but warned that the 'speed of improvement in survival has slowed down'. In the five years from 2000/01 to 2005/06, the 10-year CSI rose by 4%, from 41.2% to 45.2%. But between 2010/11 and 2015/16, the rise was 1.4%, from 47.9% to 49.3%. There were also major gaps in survival when it came to different cancer types. For example, 10-year survival for testicular cancer was 97%, compared with 4.3% for pancreatic cancer. Screening programmes had bolstered survival rates for cancers in the breast, bowel and cervix, according to Cancer Research UK. But survival for other types, such as stomach, lung and brain cancer, had increased by only a small amount in the past 50 years. Writing in the Lancet Regional Health – Europe, researchers warned this slowdown for individual cancers implied a 'system-wide challenge'. Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: 'Thanks to research, most patients today are far more likely to survive their cancer than at any point in the past. 'But the reality is that this progress is slowing – and for some cancers, it never got going in the first place.' The Government launched a call for evidence to help shape a national cancer plan in February. The blueprint aims to outline actions to transform how the disease is treated in a bid to reduce deaths. Ms Mitchell said: 'The upcoming National Cancer Plan for England must include commitments to spot more cancers earlier, as well as backing research into new treatments so that each patient, regardless of their diagnosis, can hope for more moments with the people they love.' Michel Coleman, a professor of epidemiology and statistics at LSHTM, said: 'Since I began my career in cancer research, I've seen substantial increases in survival for most types of cancer. 'Our understanding of cancer biology has expanded, effective screening programmes have been introduced, and new treatments have been developed. Allowing this trend to stall will have devastating consequences. 'This study was only possible because of data on millions of patients from cancer registries in England and Wales. 'It's vital that the Government provides the political and financial support to ensure we maintain this crucial data. Without these, the Government will be flying blind on cancer control. 'The National Cancer Plan is a chance to improve NHS cancer pathways and reap the benefits of new research – the Government must take it.' Cancer Research UK is calling for the national cancer plan to slash waiting times for diagnosis and treatment, saying some patients face unacceptable delays. The plan should also improve early diagnosis of cancer, with plans to boost participation in existing screening programmes and a commitment to rolling out lung cancer screening fully in England by 2029. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We are prioritising cancer care as we turn around more than a decade of neglect of our NHS. 'We're already seeing progress, with 95,000 more people having cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days between July 2024 and May 2025, compared to the same period the previous year. 'The National Cancer Plan will set out how we will improve survival rates further and address the variation between different cancer types.'
Western Telegraph
10-07-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Cancer patients still facing ‘dangerous treatment delays', experts warn
It comes as new figures show the proportion of patients who had cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days has declined for the third consecutive month, while those waiting no longer than 62 days for their first treatment also fell. Monthly data published by the NHS shows 74.8% of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days in May, down from 76.7% in April and the third monthly fall in a row. It's an unfortunate reality that these delays have become normalised Professor Pat Price The Government and NHS England have set a target of March 2026 for this figure to reach 80%. Elsewhere, the proportion of patients who had waited no longer than 62 days in May from an urgent suspected cancer referral, or consultant upgrade, to their first definitive treatment for cancer was 67.8%, down from 69.9% in April. The target to reach 75% is also March 2026. Professor Pat Price, oncologist and chairwoman of Radiotherapy UK, said: 'Today's cancer waiting times show yet another missed opportunity to put a stop to dangerous treatment delays. 'Patients should not be kept on the edge of their seats waiting for the chance to access the life-saving treatment they need. 'It's an unfortunate reality that these delays have become normalised.' Right now, many people are experiencing differences in care depending on who they are or where they live, which is completely unacceptable Kate Seymour, Macmillan Kate Seymour, head of external affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 'Behind these delays in cancer diagnosis are thousands of people hoping for clarity, support and the chance to move forward. 'Right now, many people are experiencing differences in care depending on who they are or where they live, which is completely unacceptable. 'Everyone facing cancer deserves the very best care, as quickly as possible, no matter their postcode, background, or circumstances. Ms Seymour added that the upcoming National Cancer Plan for England 'is a real chance to make things better'. The Department of Health and Social Care launched a call for evidence to help shape a national cancer plan in February. The blueprint is expected to be published later this year and will aim to transform cancer care by improving diagnosis, screening and treatment, as well as bolstering research and looking at ways to help prevent the disease.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sarah Ferguson says her double cancer diagnosis felt ‘like a death sentence'
Sarah Ferguson's double cancer diagnosis wasn't just terrifying – it was a life-altering moment. The Duchess of York candidly opened up about the emotional toll of her dual cancer diagnoses, confessing it felt "like a death sentence" at the time. Ferguson, 65, shared with the U.K. newspaper The Times that her medical news felt like a "bomb going off in my life." Sarah Ferguson, Duchess Of York, Admits 'Shock' From 2Nd Cancer Diagnosis Within A Year: 'Be Diligent' In 2023, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and months later she was diagnosed with skin cancer. "I was 63 when I was diagnosed with cancer for the first time and cancer at any age is traumatic," she told the outlet. Read On The Fox News App "But as adults, we have maturity and life experience to help us advocate for ourselves and cope with challenges. We can seek help if we need it and most importantly our voices are, sadly, often taken more seriously." Although Ferguson felt supported during her cancer battle, she shared how young people are left "to struggle alone with the dark thoughts". Ferguson, "Fergie," advocated for teens who battle cancer as part of the Teenage Cancer Trust's campaign. She has been a patron of the organization for 35 years. Her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have followed in their mother's footsteps to raise cancer awareness among young people. "One group I feel is consistently neglected by those developing health plans and policies is teenagers and young people," Ferguson wrote in a separate article for The Times. Duchess Sarah Ferguson Diagnosed With Breast Cancer Ferguson shared how young people with cancer face their own challenges, including receiving treatment not tailored to their age. "While difficulty accessing trials impacts patients of all ages, young people are uniquely disadvantaged. This is because they are more likely to experience rare cancers or are too old to take part in pediatric trials and too young for adult trials. We must find solutions to these challenges and save more young lives," she wrote in support of The Teenage Cancer Trust. Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter Her health campaign included a letter to health secretary Wes Streeting to request teens be considered in the National Cancer Plan for England. She urged teens with cancer be supported by helping them receive "fast diagnoses, better access to clinical trials and better mental health support." "The third area is access to mental health support. A trust survey of psychologists found that 87% don't feel that national provisions meet the needs of teenagers and young people with the disease. It is our duty to help amplify their voices and ensure they are not overlooked," she concluded. Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News Ferguson's cancer campaign comes after she was diagnosed with an "early form of breast cancer," which had been detected during a routine mammogram screening, in June 2023. She was also diagnosed with "malignant melanoma" in January 2024. "Following her diagnosis with an early form of breast cancer this summer, Sarah, Duchess of York has now been diagnosed with malignant melanoma," a representative for the Duchess of York told Fox News Digital at the time. During the reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, Ferguson had moles removed which were then tested. One of the moles was determined to be article source: Sarah Ferguson says her double cancer diagnosis felt 'like a death sentence'
