NHS diagnosing more cancers earlier across East of England

New figures show NHS services caught 11,700 cancers at an early stage across the East between April 2021 and March 2022

GP Dr Peter Holloway, who chairs the Primary Care Group for the East of England Cancer Alliances
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 22nd Mar 2023

NHS teams in the East of England are said to be diagnosing more cases of cancer earlier than ever before.

According to NHS data, almost 11,700 cases across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire were caught at an early stage between April 2021 and March 2022.

That's the highest figure ever recorded and means around 60 per cent of cancers in the region were detected at either Stage One or Two.

Earlier diagnosis means better outcomes for patients and significantly increases the survivability of the condition.

Record numbers across the region were checked for cancer over the same period, with a significant rise on the period before the pandemic.

Dr Linda Hunter, Associate Medical Director at Norwich and Norfolk University Hospitals and Clinical Director for the East of England Cancer Alliance, said:

“Thanks to the hard work of our local NHS, more patients are getting checked for cancer, and getting checked sooner. Early diagnosis means people have a better chance of successful treatment so this increase in cancer checks is really important.”

GP Dr Peter Holloway, who chairs the Primary Care Group for the East of England Cancer Alliances, said:

“NHS staff in our region continue to roll out new initiatives from community settings, such as targeted lung health checks and Cytosponge which can check on patients with swallowing or reflux type symptoms.

“We are working to make it as easy as possible for those most at risk to get vital, life-saving tests, so if anyone is worried that they may have symptoms of cancer, we want them to come forward as soon as possible.

“The chances are it won’t be cancer, but it is always worth checking because early treatment is crucial.

“If anyone has been putting off a call to their doctor, now is the time to act.”

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