Research on cancer survival rates shows patchy progress
22 Nov 2011
Today's new data from Macmillan Cancer Support quite rightly draws attention to the huge variance in the improvement of survival rates for different types of cancer. As the report says, it remains 'a lottery' (although no-one really wins!).
But while there is good news in some areas, it remains very patchy overall.
The good news is that survival rates have risen for 11 out of the 20 cancers researched. Breast cancer and colon cancer have both shown particular improvements in life expectancy. Overall, six cancers now have median survival times of more than 10 years.
But the bad news is that lung, pancreatic and brain cancer survival rates show no real improvement, with survival still measured in weeks.
Macmillan's research found:
- Six of the cancers studied have predicted median survival times of more than 10 years
- The biggest improvement has been for colon cancer with a 17-fold increase in median survival time from around seven months to ten years
- Breast cancer median survival time has doubled since the 1970s and has been more than 10 years since at least the early 1990s
- Lung and brain cancer median survival times has barely risen, from 11 to 20 weeks; and from 13 to 28 weeks respectively
- Pancreatic cancer median survival time has increased by just three weeks (from nine to 12 weeks).
Note: Median survival time is the time since diagnosis when half of the patients have survived (or half have died).
I was somewhat shocked to hear my old colleague - when interviewing Professor Peter Johnson, the chief clinician for Cancer Research UK - on the Today programme come up with this rather blunt question: 'if you get lung, pancreatic or brain cancer, you'll almost certainly die and fairly quickly, won't you?'
More encouraging was this comment from Professor Johnson: "I think we're at an amazing watershed in cancer biology and our understanding of what makes the disease tick, and how we can best fight it. And I think we will see this pace of progress accelerate continuously over the coming years. I am very optimistic about the future."
The full report is here: www.macmillan.org.uk/Aboutus/News/Latest_News/TheCancerSurvivalLottery.aspx
The Today interview with Professor Johnson can be heard here: news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9645000/9645073.stm
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Allison Allen - 22 Nov 2011
Lung/Pancreatic cancer
This is about statistics; there are always those whose life-span is significantly reduced and those who live a pretty normal span - stats are an average. I know someone with a quintuple bypass who was told statistically survival was 5-8 years which kind of takes away your future. With determination & a positive attitude (not giving in as so many do to becoming an invalid), plus taking the meds - he's reached 20 years & going strong.
Stats can be depressing!
Sylvie - 22 Nov 2011
Stats
I totally agree stats are interesting for doctors to judge overall behaviour but not for individuals. I think one of the issue in the uk is late diagnosis. Too many people either assume things are going to get better or are not properly referred. As a doctor I'm seeing on almost a daily basis people who are not referred to the proper specialist. I also think that cancer is far from a homogenous disease and rough statistics are difficult to comprehend. Your general health at time of diagnosis is certainly a mitigating factor. Your age as well. It is still shocking to learn these stats but in the end we have to die of something....
Elizabeth Stawicki - 22 Nov 2011
survival rates
Yikes. I know in my dad's case he outlived his original diagnosis six fold. And you're a very good example about how well you're doing!
Annie Kirkness - 22 Nov 2011
beating cancer
I think the one thinat always impresses me about you and Chris is your determination and committment not to become a "statistic!" You are a realist and certainly haven't got your head in the sand - but such wise words from eveyone. Stats are about "trends" not individuals You are very much travelling your own journey and doing such a great job - even though ther have been some really tough times along the way. One thing someone once said to me was that there is only one "sure" thing in life and that is - that we are all going to die at some point - we just don't know when! So, until then there is a whole lot of "living" to do! Keep up the good work Mike. Lots of love to you all, Annie
Linda Clark - 23 Nov 2011
I agree with Annie entirely. Although I'm sure these 'stats' are correct and well researched (at least I hope so) they are pretty shocking for the lung, brain and pancreatic cancers. I know of several people who have had pancreatic and brain malignancies, they lived (and in one case of brain tumour,are living still and is leading a full and normal life)way beyond these expectations and the 'time' given to them.
Everyone is different and, as you know, should be treated as such. This I think you must remember and focus on. So far you are doing brilliantly and there is no reason why you shouldn't continue to do so. Who is to say that you are not in the population who is at the start of a better survival rate ...someone has to be! Love you both Linda
Fiona - 24 Nov 2011
Positive attitude, etc
Just to add a slightly different viewpoint to the debate here. Sadly, positive attitude and good general health prior to diagnosis are not always sufficient to beat an aggressive cancer... Having experienced at first hand my husband, a fit and healthy active 67 year old, being diagnosed with lung cancer and dying within 6 months - despite a positive outlook - has made me reflect on the element of "luck" in the type of cancer one develops. We don't tend to put any emphasis on this aspect currently in our culture, preferring to feel 'in control' with our attitude and fighting spirit, and despite the importance of this, it can be rather disheartening to those who do succumb to this dreadful illness too soon (and their loved ones).
Interestingly, one doctor in palliative medicine I met on this sad journey did say that sadly it is the cards one is dealt in cancer which dictate its course - not one's attitude. He knew what he was talking about. My final words are that more progress and research is definitely needed in lung and pancreatic cancer, so that we CAN improve survival!
MIKE: I'm sure you're right about the importance of luck, Fiona. And I completely endorse what you say about the need to improve survival rates in those cancers that have so far showed little progress. Thanks for writing.
Nicola Sugden - 05 Dec 2011
The Emperor of all Maladies
Hi Mike, hope you feeling good today. I just read the interview of Mukherjee and discssion of his book the Emperor of all Maladies in today's Guardian. Will try to read it soon, and just wondered if you might be reading it, or whether you've had enough of the topic for now. Possibly worthy of a virtual book group!
No need to reply Mike as I'm sure you're busy,
all the best Nicola