Drive to up lung cancer survival
The plan aims to increase access to lung cancer care
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Monday, 05, Nov 2007 09:47
A new strategy to improve lung cancer survival in the UK has been launched today by a coalition of leading cancer experts.
Lung cancer is the country's biggest cancer killer, responsible for the deaths of 33,000 people every year.
Currently the UK's lung cancer survival is one of the worst in Europe, with half of all lung cancer patients dying within six months, and survival rates vary widely across the country.
Under the first-ever UK lung cancer plan the United Kingdom Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC) aims to double survival rates and remove national inequalities in lung cancer care.
Its 12-point plan includes the development of screening, earlier diagnosis and ensuring full access across the UK to a full range of lung cancer specialists and professionals.
The proposals are based on feedback from months of discussion between doctors, nurses, researchers and patients groups.
Despite high national expenditure on health services UK survival rates are lower than the European average.
"Not only are the differentials across Europe alarming but currently, despite service improvements, you are four times more likely to survive lung cancer in some parts of England than others," said UKLCC chair Dame Gill Oliver. "This is unacceptable."
The Department of Health is due to publish a new cancer strategy later this year.
Dr Mick Peake, chair of the UKLCC's clinical sub-group and NHS national clinical lead for lung cancer, commented: "We know if we apply the best standards of care already being demonstrated in some parts of the country, we can double one-year and five-year lung cancer survival rates by 2010 and 2015.
"Thousands of lives could be saved as a result."
Maxine Taylor, executive director of policy and communications at Cancer Research UK, said the charity welcomed the UKLCC's strategy and said "a lot of work needs to be done" to improve access to lung cancer services.
"Because lung cancer is more common in people who smoke, the disease is more prevalent among people from deprived areas. Lung cancer is often found at a late stage which makes it harder to treat successfully – and this is why research into possible screening methods, as well as awareness of key symptoms, is so crucial," she added.
"A focus on developing effective screening, improving early presentation and appropriate referral is also needed to ensure that the survival rates for lung cancer in the UK are able to compete with those elsewhere in Europe."