Cancer Awareness Improves Survival

Increased cancer awareness improves survival, according to a recent study by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) published in the British Journal of Cancer (BJC). The researchers matched cancer symptom awareness from a population-based survey in over 35,000 people across the UK with the cancer registry.

Furthermore, the researchers investigated a possible relation between perceived barriers for seeking medical assistance, such as embarrassment or difficulties speaking to the doctor, and cancer survival.

“Cancer accounts for more than 130,000 deaths each year in England. Survival for most types of cancer is lower in England than in comparable Western European countries, and in other high-income countries, such as Canada and Australia.”

The United Kingdom (UK) is still lagging behind in cancer outcome when compared to other countries with similar health systems. Moreover, data suggests geographical differences in cancer treatment outcome throughout the country.

This is the first UK nationwide study investigating the relation between cancer awareness, perceived barriers to seeking medical care, and data on UK regional cancer survival.

Cancer outcomes data included most tumour sites, but excluded non-melanoma skin cancer and prostate cancer.

“Campaigns aimed at raising cancer awareness and encouraging early presentation have been implemented in England. However, little is known about whether people with low cancer awareness and increased barriers to seeking medical help have worse cancer survival,” explained the authors on the importance of the study. “Short-term survival is particularly sensitive to stage of disease and therefore to timeliness of cancer diagnosis”.

The study found that each additional cancer symptom recognised resulted in a 1.56 percent increase in 1-year overall survival (P = 0.01). Moreover, of the nine cancer symptoms surveyed, seven showed to independently correlate with cancer survival.

Perceived obstacles, such as embarrassment and difficulties arranging transportation, did not significantly correlate with overall cancer survival. However, in breast cancer, the researchers found that each additional barrier reported, related to a 0.66 percent decrease in survival (P = 0.02).

The authors concluded that, although this study was not a prospective study conducted in the whole of the UK, it suggests higher cancer symptom awareness correlates with better survival.

The study supports awareness campaigns, may facilitate earlier detection, and motivate a healthier lifestyle.

A special note by the authors was made on breast cancer. Efforts should be made to remove any barriers preventing women from seeking medical assistance.

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Reference:

Niksic, M., Rachet, B., Duffy, S. W., Quaresma, M., Møller, H., & Forbes, L. J. (2016). Is cancer survival associated with cancer symptom awareness and barriers to seeking medical help in england? An ecological study. British Journal of Cancer, 115(7), 876-86. doi:10.1038/bjc.2016.24

Disclaimer:

This article is not medical advice. Patients should seek personal assessment by a licenced specialist. Physicians are recommended to read the full publication(s) as cited in the article before making medical decisions. This article does not supersede nor replace the published article(s).

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