The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Less Survivable Cancers has released a pivotal report urging the UK Government to prioritise faster diagnosis of less survivable cancers, which include those of the brain, liver, lung, pancreas, oesophagus, and stomach. The report includes new analysis of existing data which shows that if early diagnosis were doubled across these six cancers, an additional 7,500 lives could be saved every year.
In the UK, the current five-year survival rate for the six less survivable cancers is just 16%, and they account for 67,000 deaths every year – around 42% of all cancer deaths. As it stands, just 28% of less survivable cancers are diagnosed at stage one or two, compared to 54% of all cancers.
The APPG has identified that faster diagnosis of less survivable cancers is critical for improving people’s access to treatment and ultimately their chance of survival. The APPG’s inquiry report, which includes expert testimonies and evidence submissions, has shown the barriers to early diagnosis including the fundamental challenge of detecting less survivable cancers early due to their often vague and non-specific symptoms, as well as systemic barriers such as slow routes to the tests needed for diagnosis, a lack of country-wide screening and surveillance programmes for people at highest risk, and the ongoing neglect of research into the less survivable cancers.
The report recommends 12 actions for Government to drive earlier and faster diagnosis for the less survivable cancers including investing in research and the implementation of detection tests and tools, supporting campaigns to raise awareness of the symptoms of less survivable cancers and appointing a named government lead to develop and coordinate a strategy to improve survival rates for the less survivable cancers in the UK.
Paulette Hamilton MP, Chair of All Party Parliamentary Group on Less Survivable Cancers, said:
“Our inquiry has revealed that we are at a crucial moment for transforming patient outcomes and accelerating survival rates for the less survivable cancers. We’re on the brink of research breakthroughs and in the midst of developing potentially game-changing Government health reforms. In this backdrop, achieving faster diagnosis for these devastating cancers is finally within reach.”
Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, Chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce, said:
“Late diagnosis costs lives, particularly in the case of less survivable cancers. Inaction is simply not an option. As a country we must invest in greater research and support innovative detection tests to ensure that every patient diagnosed with these aggressive diseases receives timely and equitable access to the best possible care.
“For too long, the less survivable cancers have been left behind. The National Cancer Plan and Rare Cancers Bill offer a real opportunity to tackle the systemic barriers affecting earlier and faster diagnosis and drive further progress for the less survivable cancers and we need to see the Government grasping this opportunity with both hands.”
Campaign Collective is a campaign partner to the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce