Cancer survival rates in the UK have improved significantly over the past five decades, but progress has slowed dramatically in recent years. A new study funded by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) found that survival rates for all cancers combined have doubled since the 1970s, rising from 23.7% to 49.8% in 2018.
However, the rate of improvement has drastically decreased. In the early 2000s, survival rates increased by 4%, but just 1.4% between 2010 and 2020. The largest recorded gap in 10-year survival rates was seen for pancreatic cancer, with a difference of 92 percentage points.
The UK already ranks poorly internationally for cancer survival. A recent report showed that breast cancer patients in the UK have lower 5-year survival rates compared to countries such as France, Japan, and Australia.
Researchers analyzed nearly 50 years of anonymized cancer registry data from England and Wales, finding that screening programs have driven improvements in survival for cancers like breast and bowel cancer. However, outcomes for harder-to-detect cancers like oesophageal, stomach, lung, and brain cancer remain low.
The study’s findings highlight the need for urgent action to improve cancer care in the UK. CRUK is urging the government to invest in research, reduce waiting times, and improve early diagnosis. The charity also calls for a full rollout of lung cancer screening in England by 2029.
Source: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/slowing-uk-cancer-gains-risk-widening-survival-gap-2025a1000lfh