New statistic show kidney cancer survival rates improve but cases on the rise.

Following the news today by Public Health England that survival rates for kidney cancer patients have improved over the last two decades – whilst reported cases have risen – the UK’s leading kidney cancer charity the Kidney Cancer UK, are stressing the importance of early diagnosis. Public Health England’s National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) confirmed in their release that 1-year survival cases in men and women have risen by an average of over 15%* and 5-year cases are up by an average of 17%* between1990 to 2010.
The report states that survival rates of people diagnosed with the main type of kidney cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma, have seen an overall improvement. However, for around 10% of patients diagnosed with rarer types of kidney cancer such as Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC), there has been no significant change. This could be because TCC is less likely to be detected early via medical imaging, but also because of less advances in developing successful treatments.
Professor Tom Powels of Barts Cancer Institute and a trustee of the Kidney Cancer UK said: “Whilst the news of survival rates should be welcomed, mortality rates remain high. Kidney cancer is difficult to treat and we must continue all efforts to bring about the awareness of early signs of the condition. Along with this there must be greater access to drugs for improved multidiscipline treatment of the disease.”
Nick Turkentine CEO of Kidney Cancer UK added; “This is a report of mixed blessing, wonderful that survival rates have increased but the news that kidney cancer cases are on the rise is awful for those affected. We have been working hard to drive the message home that early diagnosis is imperative. Please, if you notice blood in your pee visit your doctor without fail, it could be your life saver. We are here to help and if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with kidney cancer, we are here to help and have a free, 24 hour Careline 0330 111 2 333.”
Article issued by Public Heal England can be found here.