Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 27
27
The Government must consider rare, less common and less survivable cancers specifically as part of...
Recommendation
The Government must consider rare, less common and less survivable cancers specifically as part of its new cancer plan. NHS England should also produce an action plan for rare, less common and less survivable cancers, containing clear commitments to address key issues around the diagnosis and treatment of those cancers. It should cover raising awareness of these cancers among health professionals and the delivery of optimal treatments. (Paragraph 138) Research and innovation
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Officials are currently analysing the responses received for the Cancer Call for Evidence alongside wider evidence to develop the 10 Year Cancer Plan. The Plan be a new vision for how we will lead the world in cancer care. The plan will provide ambitious plans in several areas, and will address all cancer types, including rare and less survivable cancers. More detail will be forthcoming once the plan is published. It is not possible to meet our LTP ambitions for cancer without improving cancer staging across the board. Cancer staging varies considerably across rare and less common cancers. Some rare and less common cancers have very high early diagnosis rates (e.g. testis 90.2%, melanoma 89.1%, thyroid 88.5%). By contrast, cancers such as oesophagus (19.7%), pancreas (22.7%) and stomach (33.2%) are among the cancers with the lowest early diagnosis rate. The NHS is undertaking a systematic review of tumour sites that typically present late to identify further opportunities to improve cancer staging and save lives. A recent review of pancreatic cancer has highlighted new opportunities to improve earlier diagnosis rates amongst people with New Onset Diabetes and those with hereditary risk factors. These reviews will be used to develop a clear set of actions to improve earlier diagnosis amongst the less survivable cancers, Raising GP and public awareness of potential symptoms will be part of the solution but given the vague nature of many of these symptoms, and, or the low frequency with which a GP will encounter a case; we will need to find more targeted ways to proactively identify those with the greatest risk. Research and Innovation