Home Health A study reveals the six cancers with “least survival”: most patients die within a year

A study reveals the six cancers with “least survival”: most patients die within a year

0 comments
Harry Potter star Alan Rickman was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015 and died a year later, in January 2016, at the age of 69.

More than half of patients diagnosed with the six “least resistant” cancers die within a year in the UK, researchers have revealed.

The new analysis found that 58 per cent of people in England diagnosed with cancer of the lung, liver, brain, oesophagus, pancreas or stomach will die from their disease within a year.

By comparison, about 30 percent of those with all types of cancer, on average, will not survive a year.

Survival statistics are even bleaker in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, according to data published by the Less Survivable Cancers Working Group.

In these regions, more than 60 percent of deaths occur within a year of diagnosis.

According to Cancer Research UK, more than 90,000 people are diagnosed with one of the six least survivable cancers in the UK each year and account for almost half of all common cancer deaths.

These cancers are often diagnosed in the later stages, with only 28 per cent of patients in the UK being diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, when it is most treatable.

This is compared to 54 percent of all other cancers diagnosed at stage 1 or 2.

American actor Patrick Swayze also died of pancreatic cancer in 2009, just over a year and a half after being diagnosed.

Harry Potter star Alan Rickman was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015 and died a year later in January 2016 at the age of 69 (left). American actor Patrick Swayze also died of pancreatic cancer in 2009, just over a year and a half after being diagnosed (right)

Wanted singer Tom Parker was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in October 2020 and died on March 30, 2022.

Wanted singer Tom Parker was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in October 2020 and died on March 30, 2022.

Experts warn that late-stage diagnosis has significant effects and limits the potential for treatments that could significantly improve survival rates.

Cheryle Brandon, 52, from Surrey, was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer in December 2022.

She said: ‘My symptoms started with reflux and indigestion and my doctor gave me medication to reduce the amount of acid in my stomach. At first I felt better, but about six months later I started having chest pain, it became difficult to swallow, and I started choking when I ate.

‘Further tests revealed I had esophageal cancer and they thought it had also spread to my lungs, liver, larynx and lymph nodes. My tumor was inoperable (because it was too close to my heart), but amazingly, after grueling cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I was declared cancer-free.

“I am now taking it one day at a time and helping to raise awareness about this extremely aggressive disease.”

Harry Potter star Alan Rickman was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015 and died a year later, at the age of 69.

American actor Patrick Swayze also died of pancreatic cancer in 2009, just over a year and a half after being diagnosed.

Similarly, The Wanted singer Tom Parker was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer, a fatal glioblastoma, in October 2020 and died on March 30, 2022.

Despite the prevalence of these less survivable cancers, they receive a fraction of the research funding compared to longer survivable diseases, according to the Working Group on Less Survivable Cancers.

The campaign group is now calling for commitments at government level to prioritize early detection, funding research and developing new treatment options for these cancers.

Anna Jewell, chair of the short-survival cancers task force, said: “The reality that more than half of people diagnosed with a short-survival cancer will not survive beyond one year is simply unacceptable.

‘It is essential that all UK governments take immediate action to develop and implement national action plans dedicated to cancers with lower survival to improve outcomes for patients with these devastating diseases.

“We can change the narrative and improve one-year survival by setting specific goals, prioritizing early diagnosis, and improving treatment pathways to give every patient a fighting chance.”

MP Paulette Hamilton, who this week is launching a new all-party parliamentary group on lower-survival cancers, said: “Lower-survival cancers have been neglected for too long and it is time to ensure they get the attention they deserve. “.

“By launching the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Less Survivable Cancers, we are taking a vital step to improve outcomes and foster hope for thousands of patients and their families.”

You may also like