Regional differences in survival from cancer

Abstract

Newly available data on cancer survival within regions in England and Wales, showed a wide regional variation in five-year survival from most major cancers registered in 1971-73. The more lethal cancers had the largest relative differences in survival, with a four-fold difference between the best and the worst regions. Conversely, the less lethal cancers had the largest absolute differences of up to 25 per cent. In general, the metropolitan regions were better, and regions in the north and north-west of England were worse, than average. These results need to be viewed with caution, as it is difficult, in the absence of precise information as to how the regional registries vary in their registration practice, to determine whether the observed differences are artefactual or real. If this variation could be allowed for in calculating survival then it may be possible to make useful inferences on regional differences in the detection, diagnosis and management of cancers.