Cancer survival trends in England and Wales
Cancer survival trends in England and Wales 1971-1995: Deprivation and NHS Region
The Cancer and Public Health Unit (merged in 2003 to form the Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology Unit) of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine carried out a major epidemiological study of cancer survival trends from 1971-1995 in England and Wales, in collaboration with the Office for National Statistics. The effect of deprivation on cancer survival is examined in detail. This is the most comprehensive analysis of cancer survival trends and patterns ever carried out in Britain.
Some 2,870,000 cancer patients diagnosed in England and Wales between 1971 and 1990 were followed up to the end of 1995. Results are provided for 47 different types of cancer in adults (15-99 years) and 11 cancers in children (0-14 years).
Survival rates up to 31 December 1995 are presented by:
- Calendar period of diagnosis (1971-75, 1976-80, 1981-85, 1986-90)
- Age
- Sex
- NHS Region
- Deprivation category (from affluent to deprived)
Survival rates are compared with those for other European countries and the USA. Main results are as follows:
- Survival is lower in deprived areas for most adult cancers
- Thousands of cancer deaths are avoidable
- Survival is rising for many cancers in adults
- Little or no progress in 25 years for several lethal cancers in adults
- Survival is higher for women and younger patients
- Survival is lower than elsewhere in Europe or in USA
Full results can be found in the book "Cancer survival trends in England and Wales 1971-1995: Deprivation and NHS Region". A CDROM is also available and contains data, tools, results and graphics.
