Charity says the NHS will soon be unable to cope with rising numbers of cancer sufferers, as figures show an extra 500,000 people now living with the disease
Healthwise
6:25AM GMT 06 Jan 2015
The number of people in the UK living with cancer is soaring, new analysis shows Photo: ALAMY
Cancer is becoming a “crisis of unimaginable proportions” for the NHS a leading charity has warned, after figures show soaring numbers living with the disease.
Macmillan Cancer Support said improved detection of cancer, and better treatment has dramatically improved survival rates, although they remain among the worst in Europe.
However, combined with a growing ageing population, this has meant the number of people with cancer has risen by almost 500,000 in just five years - to a record high of 2.5m UK cases.
The charity says the soaring numbers means that without “urgent action” the NHS will soon be unable to cope.
The number of pensioners living with cancer has risen by almost one quarter since 2010.
Of the total 2.5 million people currently classed as living with cancer, 1.6 million were diagnosed five or more years ago.
However, the charity said there was growing evidence shows that many patients do not return to full health after gruelling treatments, with many suffering from serious side effects of the disease.
Lynda Thomas, the charity’s chief executive said: “While it is great news that more people are surviving cancer or living longer with it, progress is a double-edged sword.
“As numbers surge, the NHS will soon be unable to cope with the huge increase in demand for health services and the support that organisations like Macmillan provide will become even more urgent and important.”
In the run up to the general election, the charity called on politicians to commit to improving Britain’s poor cancer survival rates, so they match the best in Europe.
Ms Thomas said: “As we are threatened by a cancer crisis of unmanageable proportions, all political parties must step up and make a real commitment to supporting people with cancer.”
Major international research has found that survival rates for almost all common cancers are worse in Britain than the European average.
The study of more than 29 countries compared five year survival for stomach, colon, rectal, lung, melanoma skin, breast, ovarian, prostate, and kidney cancers as well as the blood cancer non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The 2013 study found that only for skin cancer, was survival in this country better than the EU average.
The number of men with prostate cancer has risen by 27 per cent in the last five years.
The charity said that while many of those diagnosed with cancer survived in good health, a large proportion would suffer long-term side-effects from treatment, such as incontinence and impotence.
The number of women with breast cancer has also risen by 21 per cent in the last five years and there are now also 18 per cent more people living with colorectal cancer.
Over the past four decades, Britain’s survival rates have improved dramatically.
In 1970, the average person diagnosed with cancer survived just one year. Latest data shows average survival is now 10 years.
However the charity said those who survive cancer need more help from the NHS to manage the effects of disease, and of treatment.
John Pearson, 47, from Kent was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2006.
“Eight years on from my diagnosis I’m still suffering fatigue and permanent nerve damage to my legs, hips and arms from the chemotherapy,” he said.
“I try to stay positive as I’ve survived cancer but I’m living with the long term side effects of treatment. I wish I could do without the health services but I can’t – I see my GP for help with pain control, and have to visit the hospital for colonoscopies, neurology, and physiotherapy.”
A Department of Health spokesman said: "It is hugely welcome news that over the last five years 500,000 more people are able to live with cancer - part of the fact that cancer survival rates are increasing from relatively poor performance by European standards to their highest ever level in England.
"The NHS is rising to the challenge this presents and is seeing 51% more patients with suspected cancer than 2010, offering cutting-edge drugs through the Cancer Drugs Fund, focusing on high-quality compassionate care as never before, and working with Macmillan to introduce a personalised recovery care package for every patient."
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