Diagnosis of cancer ‘too late’ for half

ALMOST half of cancer patients in the West Midlands are diagnosed too late to give them the best chance of survival, according to new figures by a leading charity.

Cancer Research UK has calculated that in just one year, around 12,500 cancer patients in the region are diagnosed late – at stage 3 or 4.

Of these, around 7,500 are diagnosed at the most advanced stage – stage 4 – leaving them with fewer treatment options and less chance of surviving their disease.

The country’s biggest cancer charity said the main reason for the late diagnosis was a desperate shortage of trained NHS medical staff.

In England, almost half of all cancers (with a known stage) are diagnosed late (at stage 3 or 4). In one year, this is around 115,000 cancer patients. And of these, around 67,000 people are diagnosed at the most advanced stage – stage 4.

The charity said there are lots of reasons behind this but workforce shortages are a large contributor.

Now the charity is calling on people to back its Shoulder to Shoulder campaign which is an online petition urging the Government to train and employ more NHS staff to diagnose and treat cancer early.

Jane Redman, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for the West Midlands, said: “NHS staff are working tirelessly to offer the best care possible, and the NHS is implementing important new initiatives to address late diagnosis and improve staff efficiency.

“But there just aren’t enough of the right staff available on the ground now, and there are no plans to significantly increase the numbers needed to transform the health service.”