WALTHAM Forest has the second worst cancer survival rates in the country it, was revealed today.
The figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the borough, which has a survival rate for all cancers of 56.5 per cent one year after diagnosis, is better than only Newham, with a rate of 56.3 per cent.
The report was compiled with the help of the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) and shows the cancer survival rates for all cancers for the 152 Primary Care Trusts in England.
The most recent results were recorded in 2006.
Primary care trust NHS Waltham Forest (PCT) admitted survival rates are particularly bad for breast, lung and colorectal cancers.
The PCT says it is tackling this by increasing efforts to raise awareness of cancer symptoms and what to do about them.
It will also be carrying out increased educational sessions hosted by hospital consultants for GPs to improve awareness of cancer symptoms.
Dr Kay Eilbert, Acting Director of Public Health, NHS Waltham Forest, said: "In Waltham Forest we have some very real challenges around deprivation and health inequalities.
“This leads to higher rates of smoking and heart and lung disease, all of which contribute to incidence of cancer.
“These latest cancer survival rates are based on 2006 figures and in recent years the picture has improved in Waltham Forest. Figures for our biggest killers, coronary heart disease and cancer are improving, but not as fast as those for London and England.
“Our poor survival rates are mostly due to late diagnosis, so we’ve been working hard to raise awareness of symptoms in the community.
“Our GPs are doing some excellent work around this and are now referring more patients. We also work with the cancer network to deliver seminars for consultants at Whipps Cross Hospital and our own GPs. In Public Health we have worked with our GPs to establish screening leads, responsible for making cancer screening more effective.
“Recently we’ve seen more women from some of our more deprived areas, such as Leytonstone, attending our breast screening service, so the message is getting across.”
In March the Department of Health concluded that NHS Waltham Forest has delivered clear health improvements in cancer screening. A month later In April, latest national statistics showed that Waltham Forest has the lowest rate of prostate cancer deaths in the country.
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