Information about Cancer Treatments and Trials in the West Anglia Region
Introduction
Facts & figures
Cancer is a major health issue in the UK; one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and one in four will die of cancer.
Some 275,000 people were newly diagnosed in 2002. However, cancer survival rates are also increasing with an 11% reduction since 1994/5. Around 154,000 people died of cancer in 2003.
The four most common cancers (breast, lung, colorectal and bowel) accounted for just under half of the deaths from cancer (excluding non melanoma skin cancer).
[Source: Cancer Research UK May 2006]
In working to achieve the Government’s target of reducing the death rate for cancer by 20% in people under 75 by 2010, good progress has been made; a reduction of more than 12% among people under 75 years between 1995 – 1997 and 2001 – 2003.
The death rates for female breast cancer patients and male lung cancer patients are falling more quickly than anywhere else in the world, despite a significant rise in the number of newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer.
[Source: NHS Cancer Programme for England Nov 2009]
Provision of cancer services
In England, treatment for cancer patients is organised through the NHS Cancer Network and delivered by multi-disciplinary teams within specialised cancer units.
The NHS Cancer Network, a government funded venture, was established by the Department of Health to improve delivery of cancer services to patients throughout the country. This cancer network is made up of 34 regional cancer networks.
In this region, the West Anglia Cancer Network (WACN), was initially designated in December 1999 and was formally established during February 2001. The WACN Cancer Network provides cancer services to the West Anglian region through the Regional Cancer Centre (consists of Addenbrooke’s Hospital in conjunction with Papworth Hospital) and 5 associated Cancer Units.
Close collaboration between our academic scientists and clinicians ensures that we continue to develop and deliver cutting edge services for our patients.
Further information
Please see the menu on the left of this page for further information about the field of Oncology (oncology specialties and staff involved in patient care), what is available to patients within the West Anglian Region (cancer services and facilities) and the clinical research we conduct.
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- NHS Cancer Programme for England
- West Anglia Cancer Network
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