James Evans MS has endorsed the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce’s (LSCT) campaign to improve the poor survival chances of people diagnosed with cancers of the lung, liver, brain, oesophagus, pancreas or stomach.
Data released by the LSCT this week shows that more than half (61 per cent) of people in Wales diagnosed with a less survivable cancer will die from their disease within one year.
The new analysis of existing cancer registry data shows that the average one-year survival for a patient diagnosed with a less survivable cancer in Wales is just 39 per cent. This contrasts sharply with the overall one-year survival rate for all cancers, which is over 70 per cent.
More than 90,000 people are diagnosed with one of the less survivable cancers in the UK every year and they account for nearly half of all common cancer deaths. These cancers are overwhelmingly diagnosed at later stages compared to other cancers. Only 28 per cent of patients are diagnosed at stage 1 or 2, compared to 54 per cent for all cancers. This late-stage diagnosis limits the potential for treatments that could significantly improve survival rates.
“In my capacity as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, I will do everything I can to ensure that the Welsh Government addresses the shortcomings within our cancer services.”
Judi Rhys MBE, Chief Executive of Tenovus Cancer Care and Chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce Wales subgroup, said: “These shocking one-year survival statistics are unacceptable and it’s essential that we take urgent action to improve the outcomes for patients diagnosed with these devastating diseases.
The time has come for a national action plan dedicated to less survivable cancers, prioritising greater awareness, faster diagnosis and more research into screening and treatment options.”
The LSCT hosted an event for MSs at The Senedd last Wednesday as part of Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Week.