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A quarter of cancers in the UK have an average five-year survival rate of just 16%. They are known as the less survivable cancers.
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New data released on Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Day shows that symptom awareness is as low as 1% in the UK.
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Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce urges people with symptoms to seek medical help.
South Swindon MP Sir Robert Buckland is backing the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce’s (LSCT) Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Day 2023 to highlight the critical importance of symptom awareness in improving survival and quality of life for people diagnosed with these cancers.
The LSCT represents six less survivable cancers, lung, liver, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach, with an average five-year survival rate of just 16%. Together, these less survivable cancers make up nearly half of all common cancer deaths in the UK.[1]
Less survivable cancers are difficult to diagnose. Screening programmes are limited or non-existent and most of the general public are unaware of common symptoms.
A UK-wide survey carried out by the LSCT and released today has found that awareness of the symptoms of these deadliest cancers is dangerously low across the country. Only 1% of respondents were able to correctly identify all symptoms of liver cancer from a list presented to them. Symptom awareness for oesophogeal and stomach cancers fared slightly better at 2% and 3% respectively while only 7% of respondents knew all the symptoms of pancreatic cancer. 9% of people could spot the signs of lung cancer while knowledge of brain tumour symptoms was higher but still only 20%.
As well as a focus on symptom awareness, the LSCT is calling for all UK governments to commit to increasing survival rates for less survivable cancers to 28% by 2029 by eliminating avoidable delays in diagnosis and proactively investing in research and treatment options.
Sir Robert said:
“Each year thousands of people across the UK are diagnosed with a less survivable cancer and it’s a tragedy that this results in such a brutally short life expectancy. I’m pleased to support Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Day and the aims of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce.”
Anna Jewell, Chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce, said:
“It is deeply concerning that most of the general public are unaware of common symptoms of less survivable cancers. It’s one of the many challenges that we’re facing in the fight against these deadly diseases. All of the less survivable cancers are difficult to diagnose and treatment options are falling far behind those for more-survivable but equally common cancers.
“The Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce is urging everyone to be aware of the symptoms of cancer and to seek medical help at the earliest opportunity if they recognise any of the signs.
“We’re also calling on all UK governments to commit to increasing survival rates for less survivable cancers to 28% by 2029 by delivering on their commitments to speed up diagnosis and proactively investing in research and treatment options. And we’re delighted that Sir Robert is supporting our Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Day.”
The Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce is urging everyone to be aware of the symptoms of these deadly cancers and to seek medical help at the earliest opportunity if they recognise any of the signs.
Typical symptoms will vary but red flags for less survivable cancers could include any of the following; persistent indigestion, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, a persistent cough, unexplained tiredness, headaches or nausea. The most important thing is to seek medical help swiftly if you notice anything unusual for you. You can find more information about these cancers at www.lesssurvivablecancers.org.uk.
[1] Over 90,000 people will be diagnosed with either lung, liver, brain, stomach, pancreatic and oesophageal cancer in the UK each year. These six cancers account for more than 67,000 deaths a year – around a half of all cancer deaths. Figures are for 2016-18, compiled from Cancer Research UK: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type
Red flag symptoms for Less Survivable Cancers:
- Brain: Vision and speech problems, headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, mental or behavioural changes.
- Liver: Unexpected weight loss, loss of appetite, feeling and being sick, pain or swelling in your abdomen, jaundice, itchy skin, tiredness, fever, vomiting blood, dark urine.
- Lung: A persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, unexpected weight loss, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, feeling tired or weak.
- Oesophageal: difficulty swallowing, indigestion or heartburn, loss of appetite, vomiting, stomach, chest or back pain, a persistent cough, hoarseness, tiredness and shortness of breath.
- Pancreatic: Pain in the back or stomach, loss of appetite, unexpected weight loss, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), indigestion, changes in bowel habits.
- Stomach: indigestion that doesn’t go away, trapped wind, heartburn, feeling bloated or full very quickly when eating small amounts, feeling or being sick, tummy pain or pain behind the breastbone, difficulty swallowing, unexpected weight loss
The Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce:
- The LSCT represents six less survivable cancers, lung, liver, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach, with an average five year survival rate of 16% due to a legacy of neglect and underfunding.
- The LSCT is made up of Pancreatic Cancer UK, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, The Brain Tumour Charity, Action Against Heartburn, Guts UK, and British Liver Trust. It is supported by: Pancreatic Cancer Action, OCHRE, Brainstrust, HCCUK, Heartburn Cancer UK, OG Cancer NI, Brain Tumour Research, Barrett's Oesophagus
- The LSCT aims to increase the survivability of less survivable cancers to 28% by 2029.
- Visit www.lesssurvivablecancers.org.uk
Pancreatic cancer and Pancreatic Cancer UK:
- Less than 7% of people with pancreatic cancer in the UK will survive beyond 5 years.
- 80% of people with pancreatic cancer are not diagnosed until the cancer is at an advanced stage.
- Symptoms include: pain in the back or stomach area, unexpected weight loss, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), indigestion, changes to bowel habits, loss of appetite, recently diagnosed diabetes.
- Pancreatic Cancer UK is taking on pancreatic cancer through research, support and campaigning to transform the future for people affected.
- Visit: www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk
Liver cancer and the British Liver Trust:
- Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer, the third cause of cancer- related death and accounts for 7% of all cancers
- Liver cancer death rates have soared by around 50% in the last decade
- In the UK, the 5-year survival remains at around 12% for liver cancer and survival rates have hardly changed in the last 10 years
- 80 - 90% of cases of primary liver cancer are linked to cirrhosis (damage and scarring) of the liver which is most often caused by viral hepatitis, alcohol and obesity.
- Symptoms include: unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, feeling very full after eating, feeling and being sick, pain or swelling in your abdomen, jaundice (yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes), itchy skin, feeling very tired and weak, fever with shivers, vomiting blood, dark black tarry poo, dark urine.
- Visit: www.britishlivertrust.org.uk
Brain tumours and The Brain Tumour Charity:
- Brain tumours are the ninth most common cancer in the UK
- 60% of people diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumour will die within one year and just 12% will survive for five years or more.
- Symptoms can include: headaches, nausea or vomiting, vision or speech problems, fits (seizures), mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality.
- The Brain Tumour Charity is the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. The Charity is currently funding over £34 million of world-class research across the UK and internationally and provides a wide range of trusted support services for those affected.
- The Brain Tumour Charity has launched a new campaign — “Better Safe Than Tumour” — to raise awareness of the common signs and symptoms of brain tumour. The campaign aims to support the public – whether adults, children, parents, partners or friends – to be aware of the possible signs and symptoms and to get any concerning or persistent symptoms checked out by a doctor.
- Visit: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/
Oesophageal cancer, Action Against Heartburn:
- In the UK, there are about 9,200 cases of oesophageal cancer diagnosed each year (CRUK)
- Only 15% of adult oesophageal patients survive this cancer for 5 years or more.
- Symptoms include: difficulty swallowing, persistent indigestion or heartburn, loss of appetite and weight loss, vomiting, pain or discomfort in stomach, chest or back, a persistent cough, hoarseness, tiredness and shortness of breath.
- The UK has the highest incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in the world
- The cancer risks are higher for men, people aged over 50 years and those who are obese
- Visit: https://www.actionagainstheartburn.org.uk/
Stomach cancer and Guts UK
- Around 6,700 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer in the UK each year (CRUK)
- Stomach cancer is more common in men than women. More than 5 out of 10 cases (50%) occur in people aged 75 or over. (CRUK)
- Survival rates for people with stomach cancer in England and Wales: more than 45 out of 100 people (45%) will survive their cancer for 1 year or more, around 20 out of 100 people (20%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more, 15 out of 100 people (15%) will survive their cancer for 10 years or more (CRUK).
- Symptoms include: indigestion that doesn’t go away, trapped wind, heartburn, feeling full very quickly when eating, feeling bloated after eating small amounts, feeling sick (nausea) or being sick, tummy pain or pain behind the breastbone, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), unexpected weight loss
- Guts UK funds research to fight diseases of the gut, liver and pancreas so no one suffers in silence or alone.
- Visit: https://gutscharity.org.uk/
Lung cancer and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
- Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world. Over 46,000 people are diagnosed in the UK every year. There are many different causes of lung cancer.
- Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. This means smokers and ex-smokers have an increased risk of getting lung cancer. However it is by no means the only cause; in fact 28% of lung cancer cases aren’t caused by smoking.
- Symptoms include: A cough that does not go away or gets worse, coughing up blood, chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing, hoarseness, weight loss and loss of appetite, shortness of breath, feeling tired or weak.
- Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is the only UK lung cancer charity dedicated to helping everyone affected by the disease.
- Visit: www.roycastle.org
