Gradual improvements visible in cancer diagnosis and prevention rates in Luton
More improvements are still required
More progress needs to be made to improve prevention and early cancer diagnosis rates in Luton, a meeting heard.
The key ambitions in the NHS long-term plan for cancer are by 2028:
55,000 more people each year will survive their cancer for five years or more;
and 75 per cent of cancer patients will be diagnosed at an early point (stage one or two).
The objectives will be delivered in a way which improves quality of life and patient experience outcomes, while reducing variation and inequalities, according to a report to the borough council’s health and wellbeing board.
“In 2015, the one-year cancer survival rate in Luton at 68.9 per cent was the lowest of any area in the East of England and lower than the England average, of 72.3 per cent,” explained the report.
“The 2017 rate has improved and we aim to continue making improvements each year.”
BLMK integrated care board chief primary care officer Nicky Poulain said: “The two issues are reaching the early cancer diagnosis ambition, which is clearly opposite to where we’re currently situated. And it’s reducing those inequalities and addressing that issue.
“This addresses the key challenges. Screening uptake is lower than average for bowel and cervical cancer. Radiography uptake is lower than other areas.
“It’s that point if you’ve other competing pressures in your life it might be the lesser of your problems at the moment. So that’s not always straightforward.
“There’s plenty of good work taking place. The Luton Cancer Outcomes project has been running for 18 months. A number of its recommendations have taken place, while some are longer and will take a few years to embed.”
The project looks at health inequalities linked to cancer, data around risk factors and patient experience, and was established to understand the issues contributing to poor outcomes in the town.
Corporate director population wellbeing for the local authority Mark Fowler asked: “Are we worried about people being too busy and is that going to be more of a concern following the pandemic?”
“The data is quite out of date. That must be quite problematic as to whether we’re going in the right or wrong direction.”
Head of partnerships and engagement at NHS England and NHS Improvement Jessamy Kinghorn replied: “The data is from different sources, including the Cancer Alliance. We’re trying to refresh everything.”
LBC’s director of public health Sally Cartwright agreed, saying: “There’s always a lag on cancer data because it has to go the registry first, so from the national perspective it’s always quite far behind.”
The relocation from the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood would include a new hospital build at Watford General Hospital and the development of a networked radiotherapy site at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital or the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, added the report.
“A decision has yet to be announced by the new hospital’s programme and capital funding has still to be made available for the necessary improvements.
“Further public consultation on proposals including networked radiotherapy will be arranged once finance has been secured.”