New data has revealed Cumbria’s cancer rate as the highest in the North West.
North West Cancer Research (NWCR), which is dedicated to prioritising the needs of cancer patients across the North West and North Wales, has identified a number of concerning trends among the region’s cancer rates as part of a wider report.
According to the report, Cumbria’s frontline health services are facing very high incidences of cancer, the worst being stomach cancer rates, which are 72% higher than the rest of the country.
Barrow GP Dr Arun Thimmiah, who has a specialist clinical interest in cancer care said: “There are a few different reasons for the high incidence of Gastric Cancers in Cumbria.”
“Common risk factors of Stomach Cancer are Helicobacter infection, Age, Smoking, Obesity, Red Meat Consumption, High Alcohol intake and Low Socio-economic status. Unfortunately in Cumbria, other than the Helicobacter infection rates, we have a higher proportion of all the other issues.”
The region is also dealing with oesophageal cancer rates 50% higher and colorectal cancer rates 37% higher than the rest of England.
Additionally, liver cancer accounts for 39% more deaths in Cumbria than it does nationwide and there is a 35% higher rate of cervical cancer across the county.
With 39% of Cumbrians over 55 years old and 11% over 75, age was just one of the key factors listed by the report.
Alastair Richards, CEO of North West Cancer Research, said: “Cumbria’s very high rates are unfortunately not a surprise.”
Across the county, he explained that alongside old age, a patchwork quilt of cancer factors come together to account for the high incidences, with poverty in areas such as Barrow and Copeland being one of the leading problems causing higher rates of the disease.
He added: “There are always genetic factors, some people are more prone to developing cancer than others and of course there’s environmental factors, in Cumbria, that’s things like radon gas. Then there are lifestyle factors.”
“35% of cancers are caused by a lifestyle factor and it’s simple things like a healthy diet that make a difference in the long term. But we recognise for some people, having a healthy and balanced diet is much more difficult, especially if they live in an area with high levels of poverty and deprivation.”
Radon is a natural radioactive gas which is found is small quantities across the UK in rocks and soil. In some areas, including Cumbria, the radiation dose is much greater due to underlying geology.
Alastair further explained that being vigilant when something feels wrong and making time to see a GP is crucial.
He said: “As an organisation we say know your own body. Know when something is wrong. When you have that hunch you need to follow that, trust your judgement and go to a GP.”
The report comes days after news that cervical cancer uptake screening has fallen across Cumbria.
Just 76% of the 126,755 patients in Cumbria eligible for a smear test by the end of 2021 attended a screening and had a clear result, according to NHS Digital data.
Figures show women across England are still regularly skipping the straightforward procedures, with fear, embarrassment, or a lack of understanding of what they involve among the reasons why, according to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.
In order to bring Cumbria’s rates back down to the national average, NWCR have recorded prevention and awareness as essential solutions.
So far, the charity have invested more than £45 million into research projects in the last two decades with an aim of finding new cures and improving care for those living with cancer in the North West.
They have also committed to supporting research projects, awareness campaigns and have funded various programmes designed to educate children as young as 3 and teach them vital health messages that could help them in later life.
