About Half of Cancers are caught too late in England

Analysis of the financial implications of achieving earlier diagnosis of colorectal, lung and ovarian cancer

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Half of cancers in England diagnosed at late stage as a report prepared for Cancer Research UK shows that early diagnosis saves lives and could save the NHS millions of pounds.

A Cancer Research UK analysis out today reveals that 46 per cent of cancers in England are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when they are harder to treat successfully.

The figures come as a new report shows that if all areas diagnosed cancers as early as the best in England, for four types of cancer alone, this could save the NHS over £44 million in treatment costs and benefit over 11,000 patients each year. Extrapolating this to all types of cancer would imply an annual saving of nearly £210m, while helping to improve the survival prospects for more than 52,000 patients. ”

Sources and More Information:

  • Half of cancers diagnosed at late stage as report shows early diagnosis saves lives and could save the NHS money, CancerResearchUK, Press release, 22 September 2014.
  • Saving lives, averting costs,
    A report prepared for Cancer Research UK, September 2014.
  • Late cancer diagnosis ‘costing lives and money’, NHS Choices, cancer, September 22 2014.

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