John Baron MP: Parliament recognises progress in Improving Cancer Survival Rates

John at the reception with representatives of some of the 23 most-improved CCGs

APPGC presents awards to top 20 ‘most improved’ CCGs at Summer Reception

At its annual Summer Reception, held at the Palace of Westminster on 6th July, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer (APPGC) recognised the progress made by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across the country in improving one year cancer survival rates. The best way of improving one year survival rates is diagnosing cancer earlier, as generally speaking the earlier a cancer is detected, the more successfully it can be treated.

The latest data show that the percentage of people in England surviving at least one year from their cancer diagnosis has risen from 69.3% for patients diagnosed in 2012 to 70.2% for patients diagnosed in 2013. However, this is still well behind comparable international rates – in Sweden, for example, one-year cancer survival is around 82%.

At the reception, the top 23 CCGs who have most improved their one year survival rates were presented with a certificate by John Baron MP, the Chairman of the APPGC. This follows a long campaign by the APPGC to get one year survival rates included in the CCG Assurance Framework – the main mechanism by which the local NHS is held accountable.

Attendees also heard from Jane Ellison MP, the Minister with responsibility for cancer, and from Dr Vivek Varakantam from the East Leicestershire and Rutland CCG, as to the work he and his colleagues have been doing over the last year to improve their local survival rates.

Speaking at the event, John said,

“It is good news that one-year survival rates are improving across England. One year survival rates are a barometer of how well we are doing at diagnosing cancer patients earlier, and that is why the APPGC was pleased to recognise those CCGs who have made progress in this crucial area.”

“However, England still lags well behind the best cancer survival rates globally. The APPGC will continue to highlight these figures and encourage Parliamentarians to talk to their CCGs about one year survival rates.”