Unlike other cancers, treatments for the six less survivable cancers have hardly developed in the last 40 years. As proud members of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce, The Brain Tumour Charity is taking action. Through steps like Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Day, we aim to double survivability of these cancers by 2029. And, we are working tirelessly with other organisations to improve the outcomes for those that are diagnosed.
In this post, we’ll cover:
- What are the six less survivable cancers?
- Closing the deadly cancer gap
- Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Day 2023
What are the six less survivable cancers?
The six less survivable common cancers are brain tumours, lung cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, oesophageal cancer and liver cancer. Most other cancer treatments developing leaps and bounds in the last 40 years. But, the six less survivable cancers have been left behind with hardly any improvements in treatment or survivability. These six common cancers make up for 25% of UK cancer cases. Yet they are responsible for 40% of all cancer deaths. With an average five year survival rate of only 16%, we as members of the Less Survivable Cancer Taskforce are working hard to make much needed changes in diagnosis, treatment and care.
Closing the deadly cancer gap
The Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce launched in December 2018 with a mission to double the survivability of the six less survivable cancers in the next ten years. Our focus is to increase earlier detection, boost research, measure quality of life and patient experience, and improve pathways for everyone diagnosed.
Support from the UK government is crucial for our Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce. It is vital for policies like the 10 Year Cancer Plan to include specific commitments and targets for the less survivable cancers.
We’re also calling on all UK governments to commit to increasing survival rates for less survivable cancers to 28% by 2029 by delivering on their commitments to speed up diagnosis and proactively investing in research and treatment options.
Anna Jewell, Chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce
Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Day 2023
Wednesday 11 January was the second Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Day in the UK. As part of the taskforce, The Brain Tumour Charity was very busy all over the UK! In Edinburgh, one of our Young Ambassadors Maddie accompanied our Healthcare Engagement Manager, Shona, to a drop in event for Members of Scottish Parliament in Holyrood. Whilst in London, Steph from our Policy and Campaigns team went to Westminster to speak to MP’s about what needs to change!
It was my privilege to be at Holyrood to meet with those personally affected by these Less Survivable Cancers and to listen to them as they spoke to the MSPs about their experiences. We had over 20 MSPs come to join us as well as Maree Todd the Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport, who spoke to the room about the important work being done by this taskforce in Scotland.
Shona Floyd, Healthcare Engagement Manager, The Brain Tumour Charity
This year the taskforce aims to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the six less survivable cancers. Anna Jewell, Chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce said “It is deeply concerning that most of the general public are unaware of common symptoms of less survivable cancers. It’s one of the many challenges that we’re facing in the fight against these deadly diseases. All of the less survivable cancers are difficult to diagnose. Screening programmes are limited or non-existent and treatment options are falling far behind those for more-survivable but equally common cancers.”
How to get involved!
Keep up to date with what we are doing and spread the word! Read more about what the Less Survivable Cancer Taskforce and tell all of your friends and family.
Make sure you and your loved ones all know the signs and symptoms of the less survivable cancers. Our Better Safe Than Tumour campaign is a simple way to know the potential signs and symptoms of brain tumours for different ages. If you are experiencing two or more of these symptoms make an appointment with your GP and get it checked out. Earlier diagnosis leads to quicker treatments, meaning it’s always best to be better safe than tumour.
Be a voice for change! Campaigning is a great way to meet likeminded people and influence decision makers to improve treatments and help accelerate a cure.