Figures show one-year cancer survival rates at Western Cheshire PCT are among best in UK

Dec 10 2009 by Ben Coulbeck, Chester Chronicle

EARLY diagnosis and quality of care is helping West Cheshire become one of the best locations for cancer sufferers to receive treatment.

Figures, revealed in the Cancer Reform Strategy Report, show that Western Cheshire PCT returned some of the most impressive results in the country outlining one-year survival rates for those with the three most common forms of cancer.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, patients stood a 97.6% chance of surviving the first 12 months. Only PCTs in Torbay and Darlington achieved higher results.

One-year survival rates for bowel cancer again put Western Cheshire PCT in the country’s top 10, with 75.4%.

Neighbouring PCTs in Manchester (63.1%), Liverpool (70.4%) and Central & Eastern Cheshire (73.7%) returned less impressive figures.

For the majority of those who are diagnosed with lung cancer, less than a third survive the first year of treatment across the country.

Yet results from Western Cheshire PCT (33.8%) rank as sixth highest in England, with Kensington and Chelsea PCT the top achievers with 43.7%.

Dr Joe Maguire, leading oncologist at the centre for cancer care at Clatterbridge Hospital, said: “Some of the figures for survival rates for the breast, bowel and lung are among the best in the country.

“It reflects well on West Cheshire PCT as the figures are based on early recognition of cancer and providing the best quality care possible.

“Even compared with Manchester, which is just down the road, the figures compare quite well.”

The full report can be read at www.dh.gov.uk.