THE survival rate of cancer patients in Brighton and Hove one year after diagnosis remains on the rise, new figures show.

But it comes as early diagnosis rates lag behind government targets for 75 per cent of cancer cases to be detected at stage one or two by 2028.

NHS Digital figures show 74.5 per cent of people living in the NHS Brighton and Hove CCG area survived the first year after their cancer diagnosis in 2019 - up from 73.5 per cent from the year prior and from 60.2 per cent when records began in 2004.

The figures do not include patients with prostate and non-melanoma skin cancers.

Across England, one-year survival rates steadily rose over 15 years, from 64.4 per cent to 74.6 per cent.

However, little progress has been made on early diagnosis across the country, with the national rate remains well below the 75 per cent target, which was first announced as part of the NHS Long Term Plan in 2018.

Separate NHS Digital figures show just 55 per cent of cancers were detected at earlier stages in 2019 – the latest available figures.

This was an increase of just 0.3 per cent compared to 2013, when records began.

In Brighton and Hove, 59.4 per cent of all cancer diagnoses in 2019 were classified as stage one or two, up from 52.4 per cent over the same time period.

A spokeswoman for NHS Brighton and Hove CCG said: “Ensuring that people have fast access to help, support and treatment for cancer is one of our key priorities. We recognise that suspected cancer referrals were impacted during the pandemic, but referrals are now back to levels before the pandemic and people with suspected cancer are being seen by a specialist within two weeks of a referral from their GP.

“It is vitally important that people come forward if they have any concerns over their health, especially known signs and symptoms. We urge people to contact their GP practice as soon as possible if they are worried for them or a loved one.”

Tony Miles, Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance co-medical director and a consultant surgeon, said: “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in providing cancer services across Sussex, survivorship in cancer patients has improved.

“The focus among all our partners continues to be the earlier diagnosis of cancer. We would encourage local people to see their GP if they have had a worrying symptom for longer than three weeks.

“In most cases it will not be cancer but if it is, the sooner it can be diagnosed the more treatment options there are, and we would urge Sussex residents to take up their screening invites when they receive them.

“Bowel, breast and cervical screening can help identify cancer earlier.”

A panel of experts appointed by MPs has described the government's commitment to cancer care across England as "inadequate", while former health secretary Jeremy Hunt warned cancer survival could "go into reverse" as a result of missed early diagnoses.

Mr Hunt, chairman of the government's health and social care committee, which recently published a report on cancer services nationally, warned early cancer diagnosis is being jeopardised by staff shortages and the "damaging and prolonged impact" of the coronavirus pandemic. 

He said the NHS is not on track to meet the government's early cancer diagnosis target and that more than 340,000 people will miss out on an early diagnosis between 2019 and 2028 without fixing key issues.

Earlier this year, Health Secretary Sajid Javid declared a "national war on cancer" and announced a ten-year strategy would be published.

Minesh Patel, head of policy at Macmillan Cancer Support, said while there has been limited progress on cancer survival rates in recent years, the government must address severe staff shortages and provide concrete solutions in its Ten-Year Cancer Plan.

An NHS England spokesman said cancer care is a priority for the organisation and the £3.8 billion plan to recover elective care over the next three years will help catch and treat more cancers at an early stage.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: "We recognise that business as usual on cancer is not enough – that’s why we have redoubled our efforts and are developing a Ten-Year Cancer Plan to set out how we will lead the world in cancer care."

The DHSC has promised to tackle the Covid-19 backlog, reduce cancer waiting times and invest £8 billion over the next three years, adding to an extra £2 billion investment in 2021.