Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive at Cancer Research UK, shared on LinkedIn:
“Your chances of developing cancer should not vary with your postcode. Yet a new analysis published today by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) shows that it still does.
Every year in the UK around 33,800 cancer cases are linked to deprivation. That means that thousands of people are being diagnosed with cancer in communities where the risks are higher and the opportunities to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer are often lower.
The good news is that we have made remarkable progress against cancer. More people are surviving than ever before thanks to advances in our understanding of cancer and how best to prevent, diagnose and treat it.
Our analysis suggests that around 95 cancer cases every day could potentially be avoided if everyone experienced the same cancer rates as those living in the least deprived communities. This should concern us all.
Cancer risk is shaped by many factors. People living in deprived areas are more often exposed to risks such as smoking and obesity, are less likely to benefit from screening and vaccinations programmes, and can face additional barriers to accessing health care.
This is not inevitable. We need bold action to reduce cancer risk factors, improve access to screening, early diagnosis and high-quality cancer care, regardless of where people live.
At Cancer Research UK we’re committed to generating evidence needed to change and improve outcomes for everyone affected by cancer.
Read more about this latest report on our website.”