Cancer survival rates

Improvements in cancer survival rates over the past 40 years in the UK are charted by Macmillan Cancer Support in a study undertaken by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Huge improvements for some cancers are contrasted with an absence of change for others, particularly lung, brain and pancreatic cancers. NHS Information Centre has published data on bowel cancer care that highlights the continuing problem with late diagnosis. A policy briefing from Breast Cancer Care takes a look at inequalities in care, especially amongst older women.

Cancer update

Radiotherapy following breast cancer surgery is beneficial, according to a meta analysis published in the Lancet, with recurrence rates over 10 years halved and death rates over 15 years reduced by about a sixth. Analysis of geographical variations in cancer survival in England from the Cancer Network suggests that although the North-South divide has become less marked over time, geographical inequalities nevertheless persist. the study's authors suggest that the trend in breast cancer survival, where geographical inequalities are lessening, may be followed by other cancers in time. The Whitehall II study continues to offer up opportunities for new analysis: amongst which an assessment of risk factors for colorectal cancer. This 40 year follow up finds smoking to be a significant risk.

False positives

The debate over the value of the UK Breast Cancer Screening programme reached a wider audience today, as the media picked up Mike Richards' announcement in the BMJ of an independent review. A recent Cochrane review has suggested that screening for breast cancer "seems likely to reduce breast cancer mortality" but the level of reduction is small. Moreover the extent of disbenefit from unnecessary treatment for misdiagnosed healthy women, along with psychological distress, means that it is "not clear whether screening does more good than harm."