UK ‘lagging 15 years behind’ on cancer survival rates

UK CANCER survival rates are lagging 15 years behind other major countries because of a lack of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, research shows.

For the first time, experts at University College London examined the differences in treatment for eight cancer types across three continents.

They found cancer patients in the UK were far less likely than those in other countries to receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Those who did receive it were forced to endure longer waits, while the disease was spreading. The differences were most stark among older patients, with those in Canada seven times as likely to receive chemotherapy compared with those in Britain.

Researchers said the lower rates of treatment helped explain why Britain’s cancer survival rates were 15 years behind those of comparable nations.

Across the countries examined, the UK was worst for cancer of the stomach, lung, colon and ovaries.

The UK’S five-year-survival rate for stomach cancer was 20.8 per cent in 2010-14. This is lower than figures other countries achieved 15 years earlier. In 1995 to 1999, Australia had survival rates of 25.7 per cent, while Canada had 21.5 per cent, with 21.3 per cent in Norway.

Experts said NHS shortages of staff and equipment meant patients were too often being denied treatment or waiting so long that it could no longer benefit them. The studies, funded by Cancer Research UK and the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, published in the Lancet Oncology examined data from more than 780,000 patients in Australia, Canada, Norway and the UK diagnosed between 2012 and 2017.

In total, 31.5 per cent of cancer patients in the UK received chemotherapy, compared with 42.1 per cent in Australia, 38.5 per cent in Canada, and 39.1 per cent in Norway. For radiotherapy, the UK figure was 19.8 per cent, compared with 25.7 per cent in Canada, 23.9 per cent in Australia and 22.5 per cent in Norway.

Older patients fared particularly badly in the UK. Just 2.4 per cent of UK patients aged 85 and over received chemotherapy, compared with 8.1 per cent in Australia and 14 per cent in parts of Canada.

Experts have also warned of “fatalistic” attitudes within the sector – especially towards older patients and those with other health problems – with rushed consultations meaning that there was not enough time to explore treatment options.

Dr John Butler, the clinical lead for the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership and an ovarian cancer surgeon, said: “For many aggressive cancers – such as ovarian, lung and pancreatic cancer, it’s vital that people are diagnosed and start treatment as soon as possible.

“Lower use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the UK could impact people’s chances of survival, especially for older patients. Although we have

made progress, the last benchmark showed that cancer survival in the UK is still around 10 to 15 years behind leading countries.

“This study captures missed opportunities for patients in the UK to receive life-prolonging treatment.”

Dr Butler said there were a number of likely factors behind the trend.

“In some cases, it’s about patients being so unwell by the time they are diagnosed that they are not well enough to receive chemotherapy. And furthermore if there are long delays in the diagnostic pathway then that is more likely.”

He said the low rates could also reflect “nihilism” from some doctors, in assuming that the side effects of treatment were not worth the potential benefits, particularly in elderly patients.

The figures, which used international benchmarking data, tracking survival between 1995 and 2014, found that the UK figures were often on a par with other countries 15 years earlier.

For colon cancer, the UK’S rate of 58.9 per cent in 2010-14 was similar to those in Australia and Canada 15 years earlier.

Australia now achieves survival rates of 70.8 per cent for colon cancer, while Canada is at 66.8 per cent.

UK lung cancer survival, at 14.7 per cent, is similar to the rates in Australia and Canada 15 years ago. Latest benchmarking data has Australia at 21.4 per cent and Canada at 21.7 per cent.

Michelle Mitchell, of Cancer Research UK, said: “All cancer patients, no matter where they live, deserve to receive the highest quality care. But this research shows that UK patients are treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy less often than comparable countries.

“When it comes to treating cancer, timing really matters. Behind these statistics are people waiting anxiously to begin treatment that is key to boosting their chances of survival.”

Prof Pat Price, a leading oncologist and chairman of the charity Radiotherapy UK, said the study showed “devastatingly” poor levels of access to treatment.

The co-founder of the Catch Up With Cancer campaign said: “A shortage of oncologists and front-line staff to deliver treatment, insufficient equipment, lengthy travel times, a negative approach to cancer care, particularly in the elderly, and an acceptance of variable and poor care in some parts of the country have all resulted in patients not receiving the treatment they need.”

An NHS spokesman said: “More people than ever are being diagnosed at an early stage of cancer and more treatment options are available.”