The deadly cancers left behind by 50 years of success
The number of people surviving in cancer has improved considerably over the past 50 years, but experts warn that progress has been uneven with some of the cancers with the worst survival rates that have further delayed.
For some, including melanoma skin cancer, 10 -year survival is now more than 90%, while for all cancers, half of the patients can expect to live so long – double the figure in the early 1970s.
But a study by the London School of hygiene and tropical medicine said that there had been little improvement in those who affected the esophagus, the stomach and the lungs – and less than 5% survive pancreatic cancer for 10 years.
The government said it was determined to make more progress with a new strategy due soon.
The researchers said that progress in treatment and previous detection were at the origin of the survival improvements observed for many cancers.
Breast cancer is a perfect example, with survival rates at 10 years going from 42% to more than 76% between 1971 and 2018 in England and Wales.
The period has seen the introduction of a NHS breast screening program, as well as targeted therapies for different types of breast cancer.
In comparison, cancers with the lowest survival rates tend to be the most difficult to detect and have the least treatment options.
In addition to pancreatic cancer, the study indicates that these include cancers of the esophagus, stomach and lung, which all still have survival rates at 10 years old less than 20%, after only a small amount of progress since the 1970s.
This meant that the gap between cancers with the best and the worst survival rates has almost doubled.
Matt Black is someone with a first -hand experience on how the type of cancer you get has a huge difference.
In 2019, the 60-year-old man lost his sister, Harriette, against pancreatic cancer, 20 years after the death of his stepfather of esophagus cancer.
Five years ago, he received a diagnosis of intestine cancer which has survival rates above average. Shortly after developing symptoms, he underwent surgery and received the whole light.
“NHS staff do incredible work, but it is such a difficult period to be a cancer patient, especially for those who have cancers who are not easy to spot or treat.
“It is so important that there is more research and support for the cancer services here, so that more people can have a chance than me,” said Matt.
The researchers also warned that, while overall survival improved, the rate of progress had slowed down during the 2010s. It is believed that the diagnosis and longer treatment are partly to blame.
Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK, who financed the study, said: “Thanks to research, most patients today are much more likely to survive cancer than at any other time in the past.
“But the reality is that this progress slows down – and for certain cancers, it has never succeeded in the first place.”
The charitable organization wants the next government’s strategy to focus on:
- waiting time cut
- Early detection, including the complete introduction of a lung cancer screening program
- investment in research, targeting in particular the most deadly cancers
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Social Care said that care against cancer was a priority. With some progress already made on waiting times.
“The national cancer plan will explain how we will further improve survival rates and approach the unacceptable variation between the different types of cancer,” he added.
