Britain's poorest communities face worse delays in cancer care, later diagnosis, and are less likely to access cutting-edge treatments, leading to 28,400 deaths each year linked to deprivation, a damning report reveals.
Analysis by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) found almost half those deaths were caused by lung cancer, which has a mortality rate almost three times higher in the most deprived parts of England compared to the least.
Those living in poorer areas also had higher rates of risk factors such as smoking and obesity. Cancer-related deaths were almost 60% higher in the most deprived areas of the UK than in the least deprived.
The health gap means that around three in 20 of all deaths from cancer were linked to socioeconomic inequality — and could be avoided if the whole country had the same death rates as the wealthiest places, according to the charity.
Dr Ian Walker, CRUK’s executive director of policy and information, said: “Beating cancer must mean beating it for everybody.
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“No one should be at a greater risk of dying from this devastating disease simply because of where they live. These figures are shocking and unacceptable – but crucially, they’re avoidable.”
The report found that people in poorest areas of England were up to a third more likely to wait over 104 days for treatment after an urgent referral.
They were more likely to be diagnosed at the latest stage, and over 50% more likely to be diagnosed after seeking emergency help for symptoms.
People living in deprived areas were also less likely to take part in screening, with attendance for bowel cancer checks around a quarter lower than in wealthier areas.
Smoking is the UK’s biggest cause of cancer and those in the poorest parts of the country were three times more likely to smoke. But they were half as likely to receive cutting-edge treatment for advanced lung cancer.
Dr Neil Smith, GP lead for Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance working in a deprived area, said he had seen “first-hand how hard it can be for patients to get access to vital services, and the impact this has on them and their loved ones”.
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He added: “High-quality care should be available to everyone when they need it. But sometimes, the hardest step can be getting to the doctor in the first place.
“Wherever you live in the UK, if you’re worried about your health, your GP will want to see you. Although it can be difficult to get an appointment, it’s vital that you keep trying – it probably won’t be cancer, but if it is, spotting it early could make all the difference.”
CRUK called for greater investment in cancer services where need is highest and targeted campaigns to help people access support including aid to stop smoking.
Dr Walker added: “Improving access to NHS services through funding and innovation will be vital, so that those who seek help get the care they deserve.
“The UK Government's recently announced National Cancer Plan for England is a crucial opportunity to look at the big picture on cancer inequalities, and provide the investment that cancer services everywhere desperately need.”
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said initiatives such as the Targeted Lung Check were helping those in deprived areas get diagnosed earlier.
He added: “We recognise there is still much more to do to ensure that everyone receives a timely diagnosis and treatment, and are seeing record numbers come forward for urgent checks, with suspected cancer referrals more than doubling in the last decade, a narrowing of the gap between the most and least well-off, and cancer survival rates have never been higher.
“The NHS is fully committed to improving access to cancer care and recently confirmed the Faster Diagnosis Standard target is to be increased, to see around 100,000 more patients receive a diagnosis or the all-clear within four weeks next year.”