As Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer, Jo Churchill MP has welcomed new figures for local clinical commissioning groups which show an improvement in one year cancer outcomes across England and including West Suffolk.
Over the past year, the percentage of people in England surviving at least one year from their initial cancer diagnosis has risen from 69.3% to 70.2%. The figure for West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group cancer survival rates have risen from 71% to 71.8%. However, these are still well behind comparable international rates like, for instance, Sweden where one year cancer survival is around 82%.
Discussing the latest figures, Jo Churchill MP said: “Cancer survival rates in the UK are amongst the worst in Europe, not least because many patients are diagnosed too late. Early diagnosis is paramount if we are to tackle cancer and cancer outcomes head on.
These latest figures showing improvements both locally within my own constituency and across England, provide an essential building block to encourage the local NHS, with the support of the wider cancer community, to promote early diagnosis.
Only recently I met with the West Suffolk CCG lead on Cancer to understand more of the challenges and the successes of cancer treatment in our local area. Working together with cancer charities, it is essential we not only raise awareness for early diagnosis but, ensure we have in place the right treatments in place to respond quickly and effectively to cancer diagnoses. This includes better screening uptake, diagnostics with primary care, public awareness and GP training. That is why I have written to Mr Ed Garrett, Chief Officer of West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group to oversee initiatives put in place, intended to deliver year on year improvements to cancer outcomes, in Suffolk.
Working with West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group and in my role as Vice Chair of the APPG on Cancer, I want to see continued improvements locally, for cancer outcomes.”
