How many deaths have been avoided through improvements in cancer survival?

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To estimate how many deaths from cancer have been avoided in England and Wales because of recent improvements in survival.

Design

Analysis of national statistics.

Setting

England and Wales.

Subjects

1.5 million adults with diagnosis of one of 47 different cancers during 1981-5 or 1986-90.

Main outcome measures

Reduction in number of cancer deaths within five years of diagnosis among patients with cancer diagnosed during 1986-90 compared with patients with cancer diagnosed during 1981-5.

Results

17 041 deaths were avoided within five years of diagnosis among patients with cancer diagnosed during 1986-90. This represents 3.3% of the cancer deaths that would have been expected if survival had been the same as for patients with cancer diagno

SUBMITTER: Richards MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC27327 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature