The number of adults and children surviving cancer is on the rise across England, but figures show survival still depends on where someone lives.
Although the North-South divide in survival rates has narrowed since 1996, it is still "persistent", according to a new report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Data from more than three million people shows that cancer of the oesophagus, bowel and lung have the widest regional variations for people still alive one year after diagnosis.
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7 Stories Of Lung Cancer
John S. Konarowski(01 of07)
Open Image ModalJohn S KonarowskiAge: 51City: Bowmanville, Ont.Current Diagnosis: Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer that has metastasized to ribs, liver and most recently to colonMy story begins in December 2007 when I was diagnosed with lung cancer. The next month I had my right lung removed followed by chemo and radiation therapy. By the summer, I was able to return to my career as a carpenter, working mainly on schools and hospitals. Almost two years to the day of my initial diagnosis, my cancer metastasized to my right ribs and more radiation and chemo followed. I have been quite fortunate in that I have typically responded well to treatment and although I’m unable to do my fairly physical job, I have lived with minor symptoms and still enjoy a basically normal lifestyle. I have been able to participate in a few clinical trials and I am confident that this type of research will help to improve the lives of many people who face a similar diagnosis. As a former smoker, I have certainly felt the stigma associated with the disease. Along my journey, there have been many – including those in the medical community – who have responded negatively when I told them I used to smoke but quit a long time ago. Few ever seem interested in the fact that I was exposed to many chemicals and asbestos in my profession. It struck me as odd that even well-informed individuals still just seemed to say "Oh well, you smoked. You're at fault." Throughout my experience with lung cancer, I have been blessed with a great support net of family and friends and have also benefited from the help offered by the various Cancer centres and volunteers. I have never felt alone in this challenge. My continued mantra is “Remission...is coming”. (credit:John S Konarowski)
Lynn Chalifoux(02 of07)
Open Image ModalLynn ChalifouxAge: 53City: Edmonton, Alta I was diagnosed in June 2009 with Stage IV lung cancer. Initially, my doctor believed my shoulder and arm pain to be a muscular issue as I worked at the post office, but a second opinion led to my diagnosis. My experience proves the value in seeking a second opinion.The doctor found a small tumour in my lung and a larger mass in my shoulder as well as a tumour in my lymph nodes. At the time, my doctor said I had months to live. Four years later, after rounds of chemo and a clinical trial, I have no evidence of disease and I am beating the odds. Yet, the fight has not always been easy. When I was first diagnosed, I attended support groups but often felt isolated as most women in attendance had breast cancer. As someone who still struggles to quit smoking, I have often felt the stigma of the disease, and few seem interested in the fact that I had other toxic exposures in my role at a dry cleaning plant. I am a firm believer that you need to be personally involved in your own healing and that you are the most important person on your medical team. I have a 27-year-old son and a 4-year-old granddaughter and I have really enjoyed becoming a grandmother. I am so grateful to my healthcare professional team for their help and support. I am thankful to be able to raise awareness of this disease and I view the opportunity to share my story as a gift. (credit:Lynn Chalifoux)
Casey Cosgrove(03 of07)
Open Image ModalCasey CosgroveAge: 46City: Burlington, Ont.I was diagnosed with Stage 3B lung cancer in 2010 after finding a swollen lymph node in my neck. Over the past few years, I have been through standard treatments – including chemo and radiation – as well as several clinical trials in my fight to stop the progression of the disease. Although these treatments have not rid me of the cancer inside my body, I have managed more than three years without any drastic side effects or major changes to my overall well-being. I haven’t looked sick for a day during this journey, which is a blessing, but also drastically changes the conversation when people find out how sick I am. My quality of life shows that there can be people living very normal, active lives, even with lung cancer, which I believe challenges the stereotype. I have three children and the youngest is nine. I play baseball and hockey, coach rep hockey, teach leadership at the University of Guelph, and am very active in the community. For me, the battle has been more mental and emotional, and I’ve shared my story on a personal blog that reaches a wide audience including other young families facing a lung cancer diagnosis. As a director of a nonprofit, I have been struck by how competitive the world of cancer fundraising is, and I believe the stigma surrounding lung cancer can make it less compelling to the general public. I believe that stories of young, active people like myself can help change the public perception of the disease. While I believe that prevention is important in the fight against lung cancer, there is also an urgent need to help those fighting this disease now. When I was 13, I was fortunate to meet Terry Fox and I am involved in the Terry Fox Run here in my community. To this day, I honour Terry Fox with a large tattoo on my right leg, the one he lost in his own battle.
Anne Marie Cerato(04 of07)
Open Image ModalAnne Marie CeratoAge: 35City: Toronto, Ont.I was diagnosed with Stage 3A adenocarcinoma (cancer that affects several organs) in 2009 at the age of 30. After undergoing radiation, chemotherapy and surgery, in 2011, my cancer returned in both lungs. At the time, I was told to wait for further treatment until symptoms occurred, which was not an acceptable answer to me, so I started conducting my own research. I was fortunate enough to qualify for a clinical trial for Crizotinib, a targeted therapy drug. This treatment has improved my scans to the point that I now view my disease as chronic and manageable, rather than terminal. While I initially set a goal to live until age 40, I now feel like I am able to look much farther into my future.When I think about the lack of funding and public awareness surrounding lung cancer, I believe that the stigma of the disease is probably one of the main factors. It seems like lung cancer is the ugly cousin; no one has any empathy when they think you deserve your disease. The truth is, no one deserves lung cancer whether they have smoked or not. We put a lot of attention on this ribbon or that “run” but ribbons and runs don’t matter when people are still dying. We need to do better. There have been breakthroughs in both treatment and diagnostics for lung cancer patients all courtesy of the hard work and dedication of physicians, researchers and clinicians. I can only imagine what could be achieved with adequate funding. (credit:Anne Marie Cerato)
Jabeen Dvorak(05 of07)
Open Image ModalJabeen DvorakAge: 44City: Richmond, B.C.My battle with cancer has been ongoing since I was diagnosed at the age of five with synovial sarcoma which recurred at the age of 18. Both times the cancer was operable and I did not require chemo or radiation. Fast forward over two decades later, after three weeks of a persistent cough, I was diagnosed with Stage III small cell inoperable lung cancer. In June 2012, I started chemotherapy. I am now undergoing second line salvage therapy chemotherapy three times a week every three weeks, as the first line of drugs did not work and has left me debilitated. It is the hardest thing I have ever had to endure. I am no longer working, am dependent on my family, and have aged considerably. I am only 44. Why three recurrences? I am a non-smoker, have lived a healthy lifestyle, and never done drugs; yet I have lung cancer, the biggest killer of all cancers.With support from my loving family, a caring oncologist and team at the BCCA and a few special friends, I am getting through each moment of my life. I have always been spiritual and my faith has guided me into a place within where I have to believe there is a reason for this life-altering change. Perhaps it is to bring awareness and to make a difference by sharing my story with you. Lung cancer can happen to anyone who is healthy. If it happened to your own family member, what would you do knowing it is among the least funded, minimally supported and most stigmatized cancers?I am the young woman you see in the photo taken before my diagnosis. I envision a day that I can be her — healthy again so I can celebrate my golden 50th birthday. Only with your support, compassion and understanding of this devastating disease can this be possible. I speak for many like myself. (credit:Jabeen Dvorak)
Geoffrey Ogram(06 of07)
Open Image ModalLinda Boucher(07 of07)
Open Image ModalThe report, which covers the 25 NHS England area teams, reveals there was a difference of more than 10% between regions on these cancers.
In one example, 68.3% of women in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire with bowel cancer are alive a year after diagnosis, as are 69.4% of those in West Yorkshire.
But women living in the South fare better, with 79.2% of those in Thames Valley alive after a year, as are 74.4% of those in Surrey and Sussex.
Meanwhile, in Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral, 29.6% of women with lung cancer are alive a year after diagnosis, but in East Anglia the figure is 40.7%.
The range in one-year survival between NHS England area teams was widest for men diagnosed with stomach cancer at 14.2%, the report went on.
However, at a national level, there has been an increase in survival rates for six key cancers.
The largest improvement in one-year survival among men occurred for oesophageal cancer, where survival increased by 19% from 26.7% for those diagnosed in 1996 to 45.4% for those diagnosed in 2011.
For women, the largest improvement in one-year survival was for lung cancer, where survival increased by 13% from 21.9% for those diagnosed in 1996 to 34.7% for those diagnosed in 2011.
The ONS also published figures on childhood cancer, showing five-year survival has gradually increased from 66.6% in 1990 to 81.3% in 2006.
The data covers all children with cancer up to the age of 14.
Last week, figures from NHS England showed thousands of people eventually diagnosed with cancer may be failed by GPs who do not refer them quickly enough.
Figures from around 4,000 GP practices in England show that, in many cases, only a minority of patients are fast-tracked for investigation by a specialist.
In some practices, only around one in 10 patients eventually diagnosed with the disease saw a specialist within two weeks.
The target for the NHS says 95% of patients with suspected cancer referred by their GP must be seen by a specialist within two weeks.
The data suggests many are not seen on this basis and are eventually diagnosed another way.
While some GP practices show 100% of patients with cancer making it through the fast-track system, others fall far behind.
In around half of the practices in the sample, fewer than 50% of cancer patients were seen through the two-week system.
A report by MPs has condemned the findings as a "national disgrace" and suggested doctors should get financial incentives to ensure they diagnose patients within the target.
The report by the all-party parliamentary group said there was a gulf between affluent parts of London and the Home Counties and the rest of the country.
There was a wide regional variation in urgent referral rates, ranging from fewer than 800 referrals per 100,000 people in areas of London to nearly 3,500 per 100,000 in the North East and East Anglia.
In Liverpool, premature cancer death rates were more than twice as high as in Kensington and Chelsea, west London, where fewer than 78 people per 100,000 under-75s died early.
North East residents have more than double the chance of being sent for a targeted form of radiotherapy than those in the South West.