Medical advances mean thousands of patients are surviving for at least two years with the most advanced cancer, a study reveals.
More than 17,000 people were alive in 2015 having been diagnosed with stage four cancer two years previously, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Stage four cancer – also called ‘secondary’, ‘advanced’ or ‘metastatic’ cancer – means the disease has spread from the original tumour into other parts of the body.
It is usually incurable, and in the past a diagnosis was considered to be a death sentence.
But new and improved treatment and care means patients are now able to live for several years.
More than 17,000 people were alive in 2015 having been diagnosed with stage four cancer two years previously, according to Macmillan Cancer Support
The study, presented at the National Cancer Research Institute conference in Liverpool, assessed data from 2015 on patients diagnosed with cancer between 2012 and 2013.
Advanced cancer: The statistics
Nearly 300,000 people are diagnosed with cancer of any form in England every year.
Of those for whom a cancer stage recorded, roughly a quarter are diagnosed at stage four – about 56,000 people a year.
After examining data on 10 common cancers, the researchers found that at least 17,000 people were still alive in 2015 having been diagnosed with stage four cancer two to three years previously.
This included 1,600 women diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, 6,400 men diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, 1,200 people diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, and 2,300 people diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.
What do the experts say?
Adrienne Betteley, Macmillan Cancer Support’s specialist adviser for end of life care, said: ‘These figures, available for the first time, show that thousands of people in England are now beating expectations and living longer with cancer, even after being diagnosed at stage four.
‘This is because advances in treatment and care mean that a growing number of people have cancer that cannot be cured, but can be managed by treatments that alleviate the symptoms and may also prolong their life.
‘This is really positive news, but living with advanced cancer can be a difficult situation to be in.
‘As well as dealing with the physical symptoms of cancer, having multiple hospital appointments, scans and treatment options to contend with, there’s also the emotional and psychological impact of having an uncertain future.
‘Everyone who supports cancer patients, including doctors, nurses and cancer charities, needs to learn how we can best help people in this situation, whether it is by providing information on side effects of treatment, or giving practical support such as advice on arranging financial matters.
‘We want people to live for as long as they can, but also as well as they can, with cancer.’
‘Encouraging’ statistics
Samia al Qadhi, chief executive of Breast Cancer Care, said: ‘It’s really encouraging to see these numbers show people are living longer with incurable secondary breast cancer.
‘Yet, while new and improved treatment offers hope for those diagnosed with the disease, the harsh reality is many women and men do not have the crucial support they need to guide them through the unchartered waters.
‘Specialist nurses can dramatically improve the lives of women and men with incurable breast cancer, yet a shortage means so many do not have a nurse to count on.
‘That’s why we are calling for everyone with incurable breast cancer to get the specialist nursing care they need. Only then can we ensure no one gets second-rate care.’