Progress in cancer survival rates across the UK has "slowed down", experts have warned, as a new study reveals the disparity in outcomes between the most and least deadly forms of the disease is wider than ever before. Researchers are now calling for a national cancer plan, deeming it "essential" to "bring cancer survival trends back towards the best in the world".
The comprehensive study, led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and funded by Cancer Research UK, meticulously analysed long-term trends in the cancer survival index (CSI) for adults across England and Wales. Covering the period from 1971 to 2018, the research utilised records from the National Disease Registration Service for England and the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, estimating net survival for up to 10 years after diagnosis for approximately 10.8 million people.
