Local MP backs campaign to close cancer 'deprivation gap'

5.03.30pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 10th Oct 2008

Local Lib Dem MP John Leech is backing Cancer Research UK's goal to tackle the "deprivation gap" between rich and poor when it comes to breast cancer survival.

A new report, funded by Cancer Research UK, has highlighted the difference in breast cancer survival rates between affluent and deprived areas.

Although overall survival rates are at an all time high, one year after diagnosis survival is less likely for breast cancer patients living in deprived areas than those from more affluent regions, with this "deprivation gap" doubling over the next five years.

Opinions as to the reason for this are divided, but the survival difference may be linked to unequal access to chemotherapy and life saving drugs.

This comes on the back of research showing that Manchester has the lowest cancer survival rates in the country, with patients only half as likely to survive as in the wealthy London borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

John Leech says 'It is an outrage that such disparities in cancer treatment exist. The government should be doing everything they can to ensure that every cancer patient gets the treatment and support they need.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so this is a great time to draw attention to the deprivation gap and to campaign for better treatment for all.'

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Notes to editors

1) The study these statistics are based on is published in the British Journal of Cancer (BJC). Researchers looked at more than 380,000 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer in England and Wales between 1986-1999. Even after adjusting for other causes of death, the five-year survival of women with breast cancer who lived in the most affluent areas was consistently about six per cent higher than for women who lived in deprived areas

2) The BJC is owned by the charity Cancer Research UK and its mission is to encourage communication of the very best cancer research from laboratories and clinics in all countries. Broad coverage, its editorial independence and consistent high standards have made BJC one of the world's premier general cancer journals. Visit www.nature.com/bjc

3) Statistics for cancer mortality rates by region can be found at http://www.nchod.nhs.uk/NCHOD/Compendium.nsf/($All)/018985DC8E3CBD908025746E0066C384/$File/11B_075DR0074_06_V1_D.xls?OpenElement

4) For press enquiries about the report please contact Sally Staples in the Cancer Research UK press office on 020 7061 8300.