A study has suggested survival between the most and least deadly types of cancer is wider than ever before. Researchers say that a national cancer plan is “essential” to “bring cancer survival trends back towards the best in the world”.
The study, led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and funded by Cancer Research UK, analysed long-term trends in the cancer survival index (CSI) for adults across England and Wales from 1971 to 2018. Using records from the National Disease Registration Service for England and the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, experts estimated net survival for up to 10 years after diagnosis for around 10.8 million people.
They found that in 2018, the CSI for all cancers combined a decade after diagnosis was 49.8%, higher than the CSI at one year for those diagnosed in 1971/72.
Researchers hailed the figure as “remarkable”, but warned that the “speed of improvement in survival has slowed down”. In the five years from 2000/01 to 2005/06, the 10-year CSI rose by 4%, from 41.2% to 45.2%. But between 2010/11 and 2015/16, the rise was 1.4%, from 47.9% to 49.3%.
There were also major gaps in survival when it came to different cancer types. Screening programmes had bolstered survival rates for cancers in the breast, bowel and cervix, according to Cancer Research UK. But survival for other types, including brain cancer, had increased by only a small amount in the past 50 years.
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
Our Director of Research, Policy and Innovation, Dr Karen Noble, said: “We support calls for a national cancer plan to ensure the rate of progress does not slow further. This study has thrown light on the continued challenges facing the brain tumour community as it highlights the gap in survival rates between different types of cancers. Advancements in survival rates for other cancers demonstrate that the more you invest in research, the better outcomes will be for patients.
“The historic underfunding of research into brain tumours means the devastating statistics haven’t changed and there remain few options for our community. To see an improvement, we are campaigning for the Government to invest more in research to further our knowledge and unlock new treatments. We need to unblock barriers to research funding, increase access to clinical trials and ensure brain tumours are embedded in national cancer initiatives.”
Earlier this year, Brain Tumour Research submitted a response to the Department of Health and Social Care’s Call for Evidence to help shape the National Cancer Plan. Our submission focused on improving access to effective treatments and personalised care, and maximising the impact of data, research and innovation.
We look forward to the National Cancer Plan, which is due by the end of 2025, where we hope that brain tumours and other rare cancers will be highlighted.
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