Cancer Research UK – February 2023
This annual report summarises key metrics and data across the cancer pathway,
including prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. It sets out the top line view of
key challenges facing cancer services, and people affected by cancer, today, looking
at where progress is being made and what challenges remain in the UK.
Read the Report – Cancer in the UK – Overview 2023
The Wales Cancer Network – January 2023
The Wales Cancer Network has launched a three-year improvement plan, which is set to benefit patients and cancer healthcare professionals across Wales.
Cancer Research UK – 27th January 2023
When cancer is diagnosed, doctors will carry out tests to determine how big the tumour is, and whether it has spread into any other tissues or parts of the body.
Once they know that information, they can assign the cancer a stage.
Typically, this ranges from stage 1, meaning the cancer is small and hasn’t spread beyond where it first started, to stage 4, meaning the cancer has spread from where it started to another body organ.
Cancers diagnosed at an earlier stage, before they’ve had the chance to grow and spread, are more likely to be treated successfully. So, minimising any delays to detecting cancers, and therefore catching them at the earliest possible stage, is paramount to improving cancer survival.
However, previous research has suggested that there are inequalities between some groups when it comes to being diagnosed with cancer at later stages.
Research on breast cancer in particular has suggested that there are differences in proportions of patients diagnosed at different stages by ethnic group.
And whilst we know that cancer incidence differs across some ethnic groups, for example, black men are at a greater risk of developing prostate cancer, data on stage at diagnosis across ethnic groups in England has not been robust enough to allow for an analysis that would give us insight into any existing differences, leaving it a gap in our knowledge.
Further information – New analysis reveals Black women in England more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cancer
Background Research – Fry A, White B, Nagarwalla D, Shelton J, Jack RH. Relationship between ethnicity and stage at diagnosis in England: a national analysis of six cancer sites. BMJ Open2023;13:e062079. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062079 pmid:36702581
BMJ – 25th January 2023
The NHS in England is set to have a major conditions strategy to help determine policy for the care of increasing
numbers of people in England with complex and often multiple long term conditions.
Conditions covered by the strategy will include cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, dementia,
mental health conditions, and musculoskeletal disorders. Cancer will also be included and will no longer
have its own dedicated 10 year strategy
Further information – NHS in England will have one strategy for all major conditions, including cancer
Government Action on Major Conditions and Diseases – Statement made on 24 January 2023 – UK Parliament
NICE news – 26th January 2023
Hundreds of people with an aggressive form of lymphoma are set to benefit from the first personalised immunotherapy treatment to be recommended for routine use in the NHS.
Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta, Kite) is a CAR-T therapy for adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) who have had two or more lines of systemic therapy.
CAR-T – chimeric antigen receptor T-cell – therapy takes a patient’s own immune cells and modifies them so that they attach to and kill cancer cells. It is administered as a one-off intravenous infusion.
NICE has today (Thursday, 26 January) issued final draft guidance recommending the treatment be made routinely available on the NHS for suitable patients. It was previously available through the Cancer Drugs Fund and will commissioned routinely to patients in England after the NHS Commercial Medicines Directorate struck a confidential commercial deal with the company.
Further information – More than 400 people set to benefit after NICE approves ground-breaking CAR-T therapy to treat aggressive form of blood cancer
You can read the full draft guidance on axicabtagene ciloleucel for treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma after two or more systemic therapies on the NICE website.
JO’S CERVICAL CANCER TRUST – January 2023
The UK is taking steps towards reducing the impact of cervical cancer, but we’re calling for that to happen faster. Crucially, we’re urging that no-one is left behind. To eliminate cervical cancer in the UK we need strategies that recognise the importance of the entire cervical cancer prevention pathway and commit to improvements and innovation throughout.
We spoke with professionals working in and alongside cervical cancer prevention and treatment and found that only 17% think enough is currently being done to eliminate cervical cancer in the UK. Only 20% think enough is being done to ensure high levels of HPV vaccine uptake, and just 16% believe that enough is being done to support cervical screening uptake.
When asked about the biggest challenges to elimination, workforce pressures and inequalities in uptake of HPV vaccination and cervical screening came out on top. HPV self-sampling, which allows women to test for HPV in their own home, was considered the top opportunity.
We are calling for:
UK governments to commit to eliminating cervical cancer and develop strategies that are ambitious, forward looking, and evidenced.
Cervical cancer could be the first cancer in the world to be eliminated, but we should not be complacent, or assume this is inevitable. Data modelling must be at the heart of any strategy setting out realistic but ambitious targets. UK targets should reflect the current state of the programmes in the UK and be more ambitious than those set by the WHO.
Workforce planning, including as part of cancer and cancer workforce strategies, which recognises the needs of the different workforces across cervical cancer prevention.
Workforce planning must look to the needs of the programmes of the future and include the training and retention of staff. Changes to one part of the pathway should be made in conjunction with other areas where a knock-on effect may be felt.
Everyone to have equal opportunity to reduce their risk of cervical cancer.
Identifying opportunities to increase access and reduce inequalities to the prevention programmes should be prioritised. We need research to better understand barriers, outreach to communities less likely to engage in screening and vaccination programmes, support to help attendance, and speed in developing an HPV self-sampling programme that could provide an opportunity to attend for those currently unable to access screening.
Research to close the gaps in understanding across the programmes.
We need more research and greater speed in adopting innovations. There are opportunities to improve programmes, such as moving to HPV primary screening in Northern Ireland, and developing AI and digital cytology technology, that the UK should take advantage of. Work is needed to reduce inequalities, with opportunities including HPV self-sampling. Research into non-HPV cervical cancers is crucial if we are ever to truly make this a disease of the past.
Investment in technology.
The workforce should be operating on systems which are fit for purpose, provide a complete picture of patient history, facilitate greater targeting of interventions, and do not hold up progress. We need data to measure progress and inform action, and these data must be clearly and consistently recorded on up to date and accessible systems.
Increased public awareness.
Using a life course approach to information and education across the cervical cancer prevention programme, from vaccination to exiting screening. With accessible, patient-centred information at every step, everyone should be aware of their risk and understands what it means to take part.
Those with cancer to be included.
The development of any strategies and actions to eliminate cervical cancer must not side-line those living with and beyond diagnosis. There will always be cases that cannot, and have not, been prevented. When looking to eliminate cervical cancer, we should also be looking to reduce the impact for those affected. This means investment in better and less invasive treatments, greater provision of care for those affected by the side effects of cervical cancer, and more treatment options for those with advanced cervical cancer. The closer we get to elimination, the more important it is that the needs of this group are not overlooked.
Full Report – We can end cervical cancer
BMJ / 25th January 2023
The NHS in England is set to have a major conditions strategy to help determine policy for the care of increasing numbers of people in England with complex and often multiple long term conditions.
Conditions covered by the strategy will include cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, dementia, mental health conditions, and musculoskeletal disorders. Cancer will also be included and will no longer have its own dedicated 10 year strategy….
Full text by subscription: NHS in England will have one strategy for all major conditions, including cancer
NHS England – 24th January 2024
A guide for parents, carers and families providing information about a whole genome sequencing (WGS) test as part of a child’s diagnosis for cancer, suspected cancer and non-cancerous (benign) tumours.
Produced in partnership with the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG).
Whole genome sequencing for children – An information guide for parents, carers and families
All-Party Parliamentary Pharmacy Group – January 2023
Report aims to foster dialogue between policymakers, Parliamentarians & pharmacy sector, about potential & future of pharmacy. It highlights urgent need for Government & policymakers to work collaboratively with the sector to develop a strategic vision for the future of pharmacy.
Read the Report – The Future of Pharmacy: Manifesto report
UK Health Security Agency – 23rd January 2023
With Cervical Cancer Prevention Week starting today, UKHSA urges young people to catch up on any missed HPV vaccinations.
More information – Concern over drop in HPV vaccine coverage among secondary school pupils
Cancer Services News 