Thursday 17th January 2019
UK
- Mortality rates of all cancers combined in 13 to 24 year olds have decreased from 42.9 per million in 2001 to 32.3 per million in 2015.
- The largest reduction in mortality by diagnostic group in England between 2001 and 2015 has been in Leukaemias. There were also reductions seen in mortality from Central Nervous System tumours, bone cancer and in lymphoma.
- Five-year survival rates for cancer in 13 to 24 year olds have risen from 83% females / 80% males in (2001-05) to 87% in females / 84 % males (2007-11).
- There are statistically significant variations in incidence and survival rates of cancer in 13 to 24 year olds based on geography and deprivation.
- The incidence of cancer in 13 to 24 years olds in England has increased from a crude rate of 233.1 per million in 2001, to 299.7 per million in 2015.
Read a summary of the full report.
Kate Collins, Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust said:
It's fantastic that this new report shows for the first time that cancer survival rates are improving in young people. This hugely positive shift has occurred since the decision by NICE in 2005 to recognise and treat teenagers and young adults as a unique patient group and embedded within the NHS the model of care pioneered and invested in by Teenage Cancer Trust.
"As more young people are diagnosed with cancer, more face an uncertain future where their life is put on hold at a time when it should just be getting started. We know that there are now more young people than ever before who need our specialist care and support. Teenage Cancer Trust is the only cancer charity dedicated to the needs of this age group."
"Despite the encouraging progress being made on survival rates, now is not a time for complacency but even more action. Last week, NHS England in their long-term plan explicitly recognised the need to prioritise young people with cancer including a move to record the DNA of every child with cancer to develop personalised treatment and an aim of 50 per cent of young people with cancer accessing clinical trials by 2025. Their implementation plan will be key in meeting these targets, especially further investing in an expert workforce and creating effective and integrated staff networks."
Aggie Kasicka was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma when she was 20 and was treated at the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Nottingham City Hospital. Aggie, 25, who now works as a Management Consultant, said:
Cancer is an awful experience at any age, but for those aged between 13 and 24 it is particularly terrifying as it’s the time in your life where key decisions are made, and critical events happen that impact your future. The support I received from Teenage Cancer Trust nurses and support staff was exceptional, and I couldn’t have got through my treatment as well as I did without them.
Read and download the full report below.