Cancer52 has released its latest report on health inequalities, as part of the Big Cancer52 Conversation event.
Background
In the UK, 47% of all cancer diagnoses and 55% of all cancer deaths are from rare and less common cancers. Every one of these patients is likely to face inequalities in diagnosis, treatment and outcomes throughout their cancer journey, compared to the four most common types of cancer. Over the past decade, mortality rates for the four most common cancers have fallen around twice as fast as rare and less common cancers combined.
Many will also face further systematic, unfair and avoidable differences in their health, and the care they receive, due to factors such as age, deprivation, disability, ethnicity, geography, sex and sexual orientation.
About the report
The report, 'A Fair Chance: reducing health inequalities for people with rare and less common cancers' provides a snapshot of where we are now and sets out key recommendations for action. Alongside stakeholder interviews, member feedback and desk-based research, the findings are based on a patient experience survey conducted by Cancer52 in July 2024. A total of 1,371 people who have been diagnosed with a rare and less common cancer responded to the survey.
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