Charity leads fight against region’s cancer deaths

People living in the North West are being urged to recognise the early signs of cancer as a new report shows the region’s death rates are higher than the national average.

As part of the report out today (Thursday 14 November), North West Cancer Research has collated data that highlights a series of worrying trends which point to cancer mortality rates across the region being up to 33% above the national norm.

Across the North West, Cumbria and Merseyside are some of the worst affected counties, with respective total death rates for cancer coming in at 33% and 20% above average.

Now, the charity has launched Our Cancer Rates, a campaign dedicated to encouraging people to look out for the signs of cancer and, crucially, to see their doctor with any potential symptoms.

Among the top areas for concern in the North West is lung cancer, for which overall death rates are 28% higher than the rest of the country.

Oesophageal cancer deaths are 19% more common here, while people are 16% more likely to die from liver cancer than the country’s average statistics.

The region, as a whole, records above average death rates for 13 of the 18 key cancers surveyed, when compared to the national average in England.

People living in the North West are more likely to die from the below cancers:

· Lung, trachea and bronchus: 28% higher than the national average

· Oesophagus: 19% higher than the national average

· Bone: 19% higher than the national average

· Liver: 16% higher than the national average

· Stomach: 11% higher than the national average

According to the report, all five counties across the North West record mortality rates above the national average, with each one impacted by specific cancers.

For instance, lung cancer rates in Merseyside are among the highest in the region with data showing there are 56% more deaths than the rest of the country, while the latest available records highlight that diagnoses are also 44% more likely there each year.

Greater Manchester and Cumbria both record significantly higher mortality rates for stomach cancer compared to the national norm.

In Cumbria, this rate is 61% above the rest of the country and, when analysing age standardised data, Greater Manchester is 39% worse off.

Lancashire mortality rates are highest for laryngeal cancer, recording 57% more deaths than the country’s average.

Among those supporting the campaign is survivor Gordon Nash, from Wigan, who was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2018 after noticing a small lump in his neck.

The 63-year-old completed his treatment five years ago and is now cancer-free, but he is passionate about encouraging others to look out for the signs and symptoms.

Gordon said: “I had been shaving one day before work when I noticed a very small, pea-sized lump on the side of my neck. I assumed it would be nothing but went to the doctor anyway and had it checked out.

“Being told you have cancer is something that you pray you’ll never hear, but my initial thoughts went straight to how my wife and family would take the news and whether my journey to recovery would be successful.

“I was very lucky and my cancer was spotted early, meaning I was able to get treatment fast and I am now five years free from cancer. Knowing your own body and speaking out when you think something is wrong is vital, so I would encourage anyone with concerns to make that call to the doctor sooner rather than later.”

North West Cancer Research is dedicated to investigating the connections between deprivation and high levels of cancer diagnoses and deaths, focusing on the specific areas of need for the region.

The Our Cancer Rates initiative shines a spotlight on the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of cancer and, importantly, getting any concerns checked out.

Alastair Richards, CEO of North West Cancer Research, said: “Looking at the mortality rates for cancer in the region, we have a number of very clear challenges.

“As a charity dedicated to putting our region’s needs first, it is both saddening and concerning to see such major differences when it comes to how many people are dying from cancer in the North West.

“We should not be lagging the national average at all, let alone so significantly – the chance of developing cancer should have absolutely nothing to do with where a person lives.

“We have access to some excellent treatment and fantastic specialists in our region, but it’s vital that diagnoses happen as early as possible, so that we can access these services.

“That’s what this campaign is all about. If we get better at spotting the signs of cancer then we can get medical attention sooner, meaning outcomes are significantly better and we become closer to a cancer-free future.”