Cancer survival rates in Merseyside and Cheshire higher than ever before

People in Merseyside and Cheshire now survive cancer longer than ever before, with survival rates surpassing the national average for England for the first time.

New statistics reveal that 56% of patients in the region survive cancer for more than five years after diagnosis, compared to the England average of 55.7%.

Over the past decade, cancer survival in Merseyside and Cheshire has improved by 7.8%, outpacing the national increase of 6.5%.

The news has been welcomed by Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA), which works to create better cancer services, outcomes and care across the region. Over the past several years it has focussed on improving early diagnosis of cancer, seen as a major factor in people surviving the disease for longer.

The most recent data for our region shows an increase in early-stage diagnosis, when treatment designed to cure cancer is much more successful. In 2023, 58% of people were diagnosed at an early stage here, a 6% increase since 2018, compared with less than a 3% increase for England a whole.

This improved outlook comes despite 10% more people being diagnosed with cancer each year in Merseyside and Cheshire than the England average.

Jon Hayes, Managing Director of CMCA, said:

“This is a significant milestone in an improving outlook for cancer care in Cheshire and Merseyside and reflects the hard work and innovation health and care staff across our communities.

“Cancer is a huge problem in Cheshire and Merseyside, with several areas in our region having some of the highest levels of the disease in the country. But cancer professionals across primary and secondary care, from GP practices through local hospitals to specialist cancer centres, work in partnership to ensure the very best treatment and care possible.

“However, despite the improving situation generally, there remains a big gap in early-stage cancer diagnosis between the richest and poorest areas – nationally and locally. There is an 8% gap in early-stage diagnosis between the 20% most deprived area of England and the 20% least deprived areas of the country.”

It is estimated that over 111,200 people in Cheshire and Merseyside are living with and beyond cancer, with 46,250 people now living with and beyond cancer for at least five years.

The news on survival rates comes after encouraging statistics for the region about improved detection of cancer. People in Cheshire and Merseyside are having their cancer detected at a much more treatable stage thanks targeted checks. The region is ranked 8th for the early detection of cancer – a remarkable turnaround since 2018 when it was ranked 20th out of 21 Cancer Alliance areas in England.

One of the factors behind this success is the NHS’s Targeted Lung Health Checks – now called Lung Cancer Screening – which tests for lung cancer in those aged 55 to 74 who have a history of smoking.

Since the initiative’s launch in 2019, more than 560 cancers have been detected in Liverpool, St Helens, Halton, Knowsley and South Sefton – and now Warrington and Wirral – with around 80% of those being discovered at an early, more treatable stage. 

Dr Liz Bishop, Senior Responsible Officer at CMCA and Chief Executive of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“This fantastic news is testament to the collaboration the Cancer Alliance has led on with NHS organisations across the region to improve cancer care, cancer services and cancer outcomes, which has meant that more people than ever before are living beyond cancer and for longer.”

Professor Rowan Pritchard Jones, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Medical Director, said:

“These are really encouraging figures which show the huge strides being made in improving the outcomes for people with cancer across Cheshire and Merseyside.

“However, as important as this milestone is, we know that there is still more to do. We’re absolutely committed to ensuring residents continue to have access to highly-specialist, innovative cancer treatments close to home.”

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