CHDS’ Zachary Ward and colleagues assessed the causes of the UK’s poor rate of cancer survival compared with other high income countries, in a recent Lancet Oncology commentary. Cancer is the leading cause of death in the UK and the authors report that the UK is ranked 28th out of 33 countries with similar wealth for 5 year stomach and lung cancer survival.
Data show the UK has less advanced diagnostic technology and a smaller oncology workforce than similar countries, leading to long wait times for patients to both be diagnosed and to begin treatment. The workforce shortages are also more significant in some areas than others. Ward and colleagues attribute these treatment barriers to underinvestment in cancer control, particularly over the past decade. They consider this underinvestment to be a missed opportunity to provide gains in individual patient survival and in UK economic benefits. They note that an investment in both technology and workforce requires strategic investment based on rigorous research to target, monitor, and evaluate progress.
Learn more: Read the Lancet Oncology commentary, Investing in Cancer Care in the UK: Why Aren’t We Acting on the Evidence?
Related news: Lancet Commission Global Health 2050 Report