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Cancer survival rates still vary across the country | Cancer survival rates still vary across the country |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Despite significant improvements in cancer survival rates across England, regional differences remain, national statistics show. | Despite significant improvements in cancer survival rates across England, regional differences remain, national statistics show. |
Overall, survival improved by as much as 10 percentage points for some cancers between 1991 and 2006. | Overall, survival improved by as much as 10 percentage points for some cancers between 1991 and 2006. |
But the difference between areas with the lowest and highest rates was just as wide. | But the difference between areas with the lowest and highest rates was just as wide. |
The Department of Health stressed earlier diagnosis was key. | The Department of Health stressed earlier diagnosis was key. |
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) looked at figures from England's 28 cancer networks. | The Office for National Statistics (ONS) looked at figures from England's 28 cancer networks. |
They showed that one-and five year survival rates from cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, colon, lung, and in woman, breast cancer, improved by three to 10 percentage points during 2001-06. | They showed that one-and five year survival rates from cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, colon, lung, and in woman, breast cancer, improved by three to 10 percentage points during 2001-06. |
This was compared to those diagnosed during 1991-95. | This was compared to those diagnosed during 1991-95. |
But researchers also noted a difference of over 10 percentage points between the networks with the highest and lowest one-year survival for cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, colon and in women, lung cancer, in 2001-06. | But researchers also noted a difference of over 10 percentage points between the networks with the highest and lowest one-year survival for cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, colon and in women, lung cancer, in 2001-06. |
North-south divide | North-south divide |
The ONS stressed that it was not possible to produce a list of the best and worst networks - but its data show that the southern areas regularly outperform some northern ones. | The ONS stressed that it was not possible to produce a list of the best and worst networks - but its data show that the southern areas regularly outperform some northern ones. |
A Department of Health spokesperson said: "Although these results show that survival rates for most cancers have improved, there continues to be a clear North South divide. | A Department of Health spokesperson said: "Although these results show that survival rates for most cancers have improved, there continues to be a clear North South divide. |
"We have been clear that more needs to be done to improve survival outcomes for patients across England and our aim is to match the best survival rates in Europe. | "We have been clear that more needs to be done to improve survival outcomes for patients across England and our aim is to match the best survival rates in Europe. |
"Earlier diagnosis is crucial to this. Everyone should be alert to the signs and symptoms of cancer - such as weight loss, persistent pain and lumps and bumps and visit their GP immediately if they have concerns. | "Earlier diagnosis is crucial to this. Everyone should be alert to the signs and symptoms of cancer - such as weight loss, persistent pain and lumps and bumps and visit their GP immediately if they have concerns. |
"Despite significant improvements in cancer survival rates across England, regional differences remain, national statistics show. | "Despite significant improvements in cancer survival rates across England, regional differences remain, national statistics show. |
Catherine Thomson, head of statistical information at Cancer Research UK, said: "This is one of the most detailed investigations so far to compare overall cancer survival rates across the whole of England. | |
"These figures are encouraging and reinforce previous ones showing that in general cancer survival rates have significantly improved over the past forty years. | |
"But this study also flags up certain areas, particularly those in the North of England and those which are generally deprived, that are consistently falling short of the national average. | |
"Late diagnosis of cancer could help explain some of this North-South divide and why the poorer areas tend to do worse. This could help highlight where efforts to promote early diagnosis could be best targeted to help save lives." |
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