Cumbria is North West’s cancer hotspot

Cumbria is the North West’s worst performing county for cancer rates, ranking 11% higher on key cancers than the national average, according to data collated by charity North West Cancer Research.

The charity, which is dedicated to prioritising the cancer needs of people living in the North West and North Wales, has highlighted a series of cancer patterns as part of a wider report on cancer across the region.

As part of the study, analysts assessed the impact of 25 key cancers across the North West and 37 cancers across Wales. Of the cancers included in the project, the North West over-indexed on 14 cancers, while North Wales over-indexed on 23, highlighting stark contrasts between the national and regional pictures and demonstrating how those living across the region were more at risk of developing the disease.

North West England’s top three cancers were of the liver; lung, trachea and bronchus; and oesophagus, while North Wales’ most common conditions were colon cancer; bladder cancer; and head and neck cancers.

In Cumbria, cervical cancer rates are 35% higher than the rest of the country, while colorectal cancer is 27% more common in the region when compared to the national average.

Now, North West Cancer Research has pledged to break the existing cancer patterns across the region and address the inequalities through vital, life-saving research.

Alastair Richards, North West Cancer Research CEO, said: “Our priority has always been to focus on what our region needs when it comes to tackling cancer and this data study validates our cause, highlighting a strong, somewhat alarming, pattern in incidence rates.

“There are clear differences in the number of people being diagnosed with certain cancers when compared to national averages and we’re extremely passionate about changing this through research projects and awareness campaigns. We strongly believe that a person’s chances of developing cancer should have little to nothing to do with where they live, therefore we’re committed to breaking such patterns in the North West.”

Among the collated data, head and neck cancers were 21% more common in Cumbria, while the county also had the highest rates of breast cancer in the region at 9% higher than both the national and regional average.

Across the North West, bladder cancer was recorded as an area of concern, with North Wales having a rate 18% higher than the national average and communities across North West England showing a 13% higher rate.

However, in North West England, incidence rates for cancers such as pancreatic, prostate and uterus, as well as Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, were lower than the national average.

Now, North West Cancer Research is calling on those living across the region to help champion its cause and lend their support to help fund vital research projects, including those that specifically address local needs.

The charity has recently refreshed its look to more clearly reflect its regional priorities, setting out its aims to put the cancer needs of those living in North West England and North Wales first.

Alastair added: “Over the last 20 years, we have invested more than £40 million in research projects that tackle the cause, improve the care and find the cure for cancer.

“Our recent data analysis has cemented the reasoning for our fight to break cancer patterns in our region and we are confident that, together with the support of those living here and our new look, we will be able to create a cancer-free future.“