Urgent action must be taken to improve the chances of those with less survivable cancers
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4 min read
The statistics released today by the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce are alarming – but they do not have to define the future for patients diagnosed with these cancers
As MPs who have personal experiences of losing and supporting loved ones facing a less survivable cancer, we are both acutely aware of the devastating impact it can have on individuals and families. The data released today by the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce should be a wake up call for the urgent need for dedicated action on less survivable cancers – those of the lung, liver, brain, oesophagus, pancreas, and stomach. More than half (60 per cent) of people diagnosed with these cancers in the UK are expected to die within a year and it's a crisis we can no longer ignore.
Each year, over 90,000 people in the UK receive a diagnosis of one of the less survivable cancers, which account for nearly half of all common cancer deaths. The statistics are sobering: only 28 per cent of patients with these cancers are diagnosed at stages one or two, in contrast to 54 per cent for all cancers. This late-stage diagnosis significantly restricts the potential for effective treatment options which accounts, in part, for the devastating survival rates.
Our personal experiences with family members who have faced these brutal cancers drive our commitment to this cause. We have witnessed the emotional and physical toll that these diseases take on patients and their loved ones. It is time for us, as politicians and as a society, to acknowledge the challenge and act decisively.
As we launch the APPG on Less Survivable Cancers, we are calling for a cross-government approach to address this pressing issue. The taskforce has outlined several critical areas for government-level commitment that we believe must be prioritised in the upcoming cancer strategy.
First and foremost, the strategy must have a dedicated focus and plan for tackling less survivable cancers. This requires not only acknowledgment of the problem but also outlines clear objectives and actions to drive change. The plan should include a sustained increase in research funding dedicated to these cancers, which have historically been overlooked and under-resourced.
By launching the APPG on Less Survivable Cancers, we are taking a vital step towards improving outcomes and fostering hope
Furthermore, it is crucial to establish specific targets for improving outcomes for patients diagnosed with less survivable cancers. By setting measurable and accountable goals, we can drive progress in early detection, treatment, care and survivability. Improved data collection on these cancers is also essential to better understand their incidence, treatment efficacy and patient experiences to inform future strategies and evidence-based improvements.
As with all cancers, early detection is crucial but it is often challenging for the less survivable cancers. With improved awareness of often hard-to-spot signs and symptoms, we can facilitate earlier diagnoses that open the door to potentially life-saving treatments, as well as making the most of new technology in primary care and further rolling out targeted screening and surveillance programmes.
As we work towards improved treatment options, we must also deliver optimal care pathways that cater specifically to the needs of patients with less survivable cancers. This involves not only ensuring access to cutting-edge therapies but also supporting patients and their families through comprehensive care services.
The statistics released today are alarming, but they do not have to define the future for patients diagnosed with these cancers. To change the narrative we must bring less survivable cancers to the forefront of our national health agenda and commit to a focused strategy, increase research funding, set specific targets, improve early detection, and deliver optimal care. We owe it to the 90,000 individuals diagnosed each year, to their families, and to those who have tragically lost their lives to these diseases. It is time to act, and by launching the APPG on Less Survivable Cancers, we are taking a vital step towards improving outcomes and fostering hope for thousands of patients and their families.
Paulette Hamilton is Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington and Charlie Maynard is Liberal Democrat MP for Witney
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