Wed, 18/10/2017 - 13:59
Released this morning, the independent Cancer Taskforce published its progress report on "Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes: A Strategy for England 2015-2020".
Robert Music, Chief Executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said about the report: "It is fantastic to see the progress that has been made to improve the lives and outcomes of those living with and beyond cancer. The strategy sets out some really bold goals that will have a huge impact on the population and the lives of future generations, increased focused on prevention and earlier diagnosis is essential to seeing more people living longer and better.
"While one in two will be affected by cancer in their lifetime, the fact more and more are surviving cancer today is to be celebrated. Following on from the taskforce’s recommendations to ‘establish a programme on living with and beyond cancer’ it is positive that progress is being made, however we have concerns over the speed that this is being addressed. Many will often be left to deal with complicated and debilitating side effects of their cancer treatment, some appearing for the first time even decades later. In a recent report, we found 63% of cervical cancer patients have been affected by at least three long term physical consequences, including pain, changes to bowel function and lymphoedema. Focusing on ensuring people do not just live but live well must be at the heart of providing long term care and support. The world’s first quality of life metric, currently being tested at selected Cancer Alliances is an excellent step toward increasing wellbeing post diagnosis, however we urge for swift roll out as soon as possible to all cancers. Additionally the commitment to see all patients having access to a Recovery Package by 2020 will provide opportunities for symptoms and long term consequences to be identified and addressed as soon as possible, providing a more seamless transition from primary to secondary care, helping patients to better self-manage their care. However in the meantime thousands of cancer patients are struggling with physical and psychological conditions without the care and support they desperately need. Workforce challenges need to be addressed swiftly across the whole cancer patient pathway as delays in diagnoses and impact on provision of quality in care cannot continue.
"It is also positive to see that the results of the Cancer Patient Experience survey are being referenced and are helping to make necessary changes to secondary care. This proves how important feedback from patients is and to not see the Cancer Patient Experience survey continued would dampen the progress that has already been made.
"Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented. To reduce the burden of treatment and ill health caused by the disease, preventing diagnoses should be as much of a priority. Uptake of cancer screening programmes is going down with cervical screening uptake in England now at a 19 year low and it is vital that we prioritise increasing participation in prevention programmes specifically those groups where we know inequalities exists such as women from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and living in areas of deprivation.
"Research shows that every year HPV primary screening is delayed, there will be at least 400 extra cases of women being diagnosed so its introduction across the country will contribute to lives being saved. We hope to see the roll out stay on course and for a resolution to the current delays in women receiving screening results, as a result of changes to the cytology workforce, as this could undermine public faith in our screening programme – which is one of the best in the world.
"Lastly, while we welcome the new Be Clear on Cancer campaigns, we must not forget to advocate for prevention and urge for the consideration of national prevention campaigns for example on cervical screening. Furthermore we would welcome one on abnormal vaginal bleeding, the most common symptom of cervical cancer as well as many other gynaecological cancers, as research has shown women are more likely to visit their GP with symptoms of a cold than when experiencing symptoms of cervical cancer."