Disparities in lung cancer treatment causing premature deaths

New research has suggested that large numbers of lung cancer patients may be dying prematurely every year as a result of disparities in rates of treatment across England.

Published in the journal Thorax, the study, based on statistics for more than 175,000 lung cancer patients in England, claims that more than 800 patients a year could have their lives extended if the rates of treatment in the top 20 per cent of areas were applied across the country. Furthermore, 190 deaths could also be avoided. The research also found that variation in chemotherapy treatment rates was also linked to avoidable deaths.

The scientists behind the study also report that survival of lung cancer patients was continuing to rise across the UK, with one-year survival increasing from 26 per cent in 2005 to 36 per cent in 2014.

Professor Charles Swanton, Cancer Research UK’s chief clinician, said: “Earlier diagnosis of lung cancer will play a major role in improving outcomes, as will ensuring optimal access to life-saving treatments including surgery, radiotherapy and medical therapies. The NHS in England should continue to strive to overcome this devastating disease and provide patients with access to the best evidence-based treatments regardless of where they live.”