Wide variation in late cancer diagnosis

According to Cancer Research UK, nearly 50 per cent, 48.77 per cent, of people diagnosed with cancer in Merseyside in 2013 were diagnosed at a late stage - either stage three or four - the worst area in the country.

And the charity says this means that 968 people could have been diagnosed at an earlier stage if Merseyside equalled the rates from the best area, Bath, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire. The charity said that if all regions of England were as good as the South West at diagnosing cancer early nearly 20,000 more patients over two years could be diagnosed at stage 1 or 2, giving them a better chance of survival.

The statistics have been released as Cancer Research UK launches a nationwide Early Diagnosis Campaign next week.

The campaign will encourage people to know what’s normal for their bodies so they spot unusual changes and see their GP about possible cancer symptoms without delay.

Dr Jodie Moffat, head of early diagnosis at Cancer Research UK, said: “We don’t know for sure why there’s such variation across England and it’s likely that a lot of factors are coming into play.

“These might include patients not going to their doctor as early as they could with possible cancer symptoms, and GPs sometimes failing to suspect cancer or not referring patients for diagnostic tests promptly.”