A comprehensive review of international evidence has concluded that performance in key areas of cancer care is worse in England than in other countries, resulting in comparatively poor survival rates for people with some of the most common forms of cancer.

The study examined why cancer survival rates in England lag behind other countries. It found strong evidence of later diagnosis, delays in accessing treatment and age bias, with older patients being under-treated. It also concluded that the availability of drugs is unlikely to be a significant factor in England's comparatively poor performance.

Although five-year survival rates are improving overall for most types of cancer in England, the study confirmed that survival rates from some of the commonest cancers are static or even worsening compared to other developed countries including Canada, Australia, Sweden and Norway.

- The gap in survival rates for lung cancer between England and other countries has grown wider in recent years. Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer in England, with about 30,000 people registered each year as being affected.

- Survival rates for colorectal and ovarian cancers continue to lag behind other countries. Together lung, colorectal and ovarian cancers account for around 65,000 new patients, or 26% of all cancers, registered in England each year.

- Survival rates are worse among older people and deprived social groups, who also have a higher incidence of cancer. Even though survival rates among all social groups are improving, this persistent disparity is growing wider.

- However, the study found that survival rates for breast cancer, the most commonly-diagnosed cancer in England, appear to be catching up with other higher-performing countries. About 83 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer survive for at least five years.

In January this year, the government committed to achieving cancer outcomes 'comparable with the best in the world' and England's comparatively poor outcomes were highlighted by ministers as part of their case for NHS reform. To improve survival rates in England, the study concluded that more patients must receive diagnosis at an earlier stage, including through effective screening programmes. In addition, timely and equal access to surgery and radiotherapy must be made more available, and inequalities in the management of older people's cancer must be tackled.

Catherine Foot, Senior Fellow at The King's Fund and a member of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, said:

"England still has a way to go to reach cancer survival rates that are ranked with the best international performers. The evidence points to early diagnosis as being key to improving outcomes. We hope urgent priority is given to closing the gap in survival rates between different groups in society. We found that older people are particularly burdened by this, being more likely to have cancer, to be diagnosed later, to be under-treated and to experience worse outcomes."

Source: The King's Fund