Bowel cancer patients from deprived areas less likely to survive

Bowel cancer patients living in the most deprived areas are less likely to survive than more affluent patients.

According to a study of 4,300 patients who had surgery for bowel cancer, those living in deprived areas are 24 per cent less likely to survive within five years of treatment.

In addition, researchers found that 9.6 per cent of the most deprived patients died within 30 days of having surgery, compared with 4.2 per cent in the most affluent group.

The study, to be presented at the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) conference in Birmingham, said that poorer patients are more likely to suffer other illnesses.

In addition, more patients from deprived areas were diagnosed through emergency hospital attendance so the disease was diagnosed at a later stage. NCIN head Chris Carrigan added:

"This study once again stresses the urgent need to improve the health of people living in deprived areas and to make sure all cancer patients have an equal chance of surviving their cancer."

"Deprivation is one of the biggest causes of cancer inequality in this country. We know that people from more deprived areas are more likely to smoke or be very overweight.

"They are also less likely to be aware of signs and symptoms of cancer, probably leading to later diagnosis, which may further increase their chances of dying from their disease."

Cancer Research UK urged more people to have bowel screening if they notice anything unusual about their bodies.