Better health screening processes are essential to improving patient outcomes, particularly as it relates to the diagnosis of cancer.  Screening enables earlier diagnosis, paving the way for earlier treatment.

Professor Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer, Department of Health in the UK, published a special supplement in the December 2009 edition of the British Journal of Cancer on the high rates of late cancer diagnosis in the UK and the importance of screening. While he was pleased with the considerable cancer treatment improvements in recent years, he called for enhanced prevention and earlier diagnosis. According to Richards, "efforts now need to be directed at promoting early diagnosis for the very large number (over 90%) of cancer patients who are diagnosed as a result of their symptoms, rather than by screening.” After analyzing one-year survival rates for the three top cancer killers in the UK (lung, colon, and breast) and comparing them with those in other European countries, Richard’s research concluded that as many as 5,000 to 10,000 lives could be saved annually by catching symptoms sooner. 

In order to address the need for earlier diagnosis and screening, The National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative [NAEDI] has been established to co-ordinate and drive efforts in this area. Additionally, there are other existing UK government programs helping the cause. Founded in 1988 and marking 20 years of service last year, the UK’s NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) and NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) are helping to educate women specifically on the importance of prevention and screening.  Since inception, both programs have helped to screen more than 19 million women and have detected an estimated 117,000 cancers. As Richards points out, these statistics are a start, but can still be improved upon.

Read Professor Richards’ screening vision for 2012 which outlines some useful insights into how cancer screening services might develop over the next five years. 

Kip