More cancer patients beating the disease in region

The number of patients beating cancer in the Black Country and Staffordshire is on the rise – but too many are still not getting diagnosed quickly enough, experts have said.

Since 1996, cancer survival rates across the region have jumped by more than six per cent. Health bosses are now ramping up their efforts to get people diagnosed more quickly and are also putting pressure on GPs to make sure patients are referred to hospital as soon as possible. Figures for 2009, show 62 per cent of patients survived the disease.

In Walsall the survival rate was 65.9 per cent.

In South Staffordshire the survival rate was 66.4 per cent and 66.6 per cent in Wolverhampton.

The best area for survival rates was Dudley with a rate of 67 per cent.

In 1996 the survival rate for England was 59 per cent but this has increased to 66 per cent.

Dr Steve Cartwright, medical director for the Black Country Cluster of Primary Care Trusts, said cancer care in the region was as good as other parts of the country and that improving survival rates was a priority.

He added: "The problem is too many patients are not getting diagnosed quickly enough.

"Encouraging people with worrying symptoms to seek medical advice earlier is crucial to improving survival rates.

"Quicker diagnosis means patients can begin treatment when their cancer is at a less advanced stage and that can make all the difference."

The PCTs are running high-profile campaigns on lung cancer and other symptoms to encourage people to go to their GP.

Dr Cartwright added: "As well as encouraging people to seek advice earlier, it's also important that we make sure GPs are aware of all these issues and are referring patients appropriately."

Healthcare analysts Laing & Buisson have warned survival rates could fall because of a rise in costs.

The average cost of treating a cancer patient will increase from £30,000 in 2010 to £40,000 in 2021.