CANCER SURVIVAL IN UK AND DENMARK LOWER THAN AUSTRALIA AND CANADA

December 21, 2010 — A new analysis of cancer survival data shows that the United Kingdom still lags behind in cancer survival rates when compared with other countries with similar wealth and universal health coverage.

The latest data were collected between 1995 and 2007, spanning a period when several national cancer programs were introduced. These programs had been instigated after previous studies found that the United Kingdom was lagging behind many European countries in cancer survival, and aimed to improve on these results. However, they appear to have had little effect, at least thus far.

This latest study compared survival rates for 4 cancers (colorectal, lung, breast, and ovarian) across 6 countries, based on data from 2.4 million adult patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2007.

The United Kingdom and Denmark came in at the bottom, Norway was intermediate, and cancer survival rates were "persistently higher" in Australia, Canada, and Sweden, concludes a report from the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership.

The report was published online in The Lancet on December 22 and was highlighted at a Lancet press conference.

"Cancer survival is a key measure of the effectiveness of health-care-system," comment the authors, headed by Michel Coleman, BM BCh, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom.

The lower survival rates in the United Kingdom and Denmark suggest that late diagnosis of cancer, which had been identified in earlier studies, remains a problem, the team comments.

Other contributory factors and potential explanations include differences in public awareness of cancer between countries, diagnostic delay, stage of cancer at diagnosis, comorbidity, and access to optimum care.

In the report, authors emphasize that the relative survival from all 4 cancers improved during 1995 to 2007 in all the countries studied.

Within the United Kingdom, however, the emphasis was placed on how badly the country was doing compared with similar nations, and for the need for improvement. A new cancer strategy, under the Coalition Government, is set for launch in the New Year.

"When the government refreshes its cancer strategy, it's vital to retain a focus on early diagnosis and on improving equitable access to treatment," commented Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research UK, in a statement.

How the Countries Compare

A few examples from the findings show the large gaps between the countries studied:

* For colorectal cancer, 5-year survival was 54% in the United Kingdom compared with 66% in Australia for the period 2005 to 2007.
* For ovarian cancer, 1-year survival was 60% in the United Kingdom compared with 72% in Canada for the period 2005 to 2007.
* For lung cancer, the 1-year survival rates were 30% in the United Kingdom, 35% in Denmark, 39% in Norway, 42% in Canada, 43% in Australia, and 44% in Sweden for the period 2005 to 2007.
* For breast cancer, the 5-year survival was 86% in the United Kingdom vs 91% in Australia in 2007.

"Up-to date survival trends show persistent differences between countries," the authors conclude. "The patterns are consistent with later diagnosis or differences in treatment, particularly Denmark and the UK, and in patients aged 65 years and older."

Lancet. Published online December 22, 2010.