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Cancer survival rate in England still low
More than a decade after the English government launched the NHS Cancer Plan the gap in survival rates between England and the best-performing European countries has not closed.
A parliamentary report reveals the Department of Health estimates some 10,000 lives could be saved each year if the National Health Service (NHS) in England matched the best in Europe.
Five years ago, England launched its Cancer Reform Strategy but the cancer death rates remain high. Whilst reporting mortality rates have fallen and survival rates improved, there remained “wide, unexplained variation” in performance around England, the report said.
The Cancer Plan in 2000 was launched during Tony Blair's premiership, with a promise to deliver "the fastest improving cancer services in Europe" with extra doctors and equipment, shorter waiting times and more government cash for research. The 2007 Reform Strategy aimed to refocus the effort through prevention, early diagnosis and access to cost-effective treatments.
"If the NHS was performing at the level of the best in Europe, an extra 10,000 lives could be saved each year,” Care services minister Paul Burstow said. "This report shows exactly why we need to update the NHS. It is unacceptable that under Labour our cancer survival rates lag way behind our European neighbours, when we spend the equivalent amount on healthcare.
