“Shocking Cancer Surge in Lancashire: Oesophageal Cases Skyrocket, NHS Warns of Hidden Symptoms”
According to the 2023 regional assessment by North West Cancer Research, oesophageal cancer, affecting the food pipe linking the mouth to the stomach, has the highest incidence rate in the county. This rate surpasses the national average by more than double the 15 percent recorded last year.
READ: Saving Thousands of Women from Unnecessary Breast Cancer Treatment
While this form of cancer is often treatable, the NHS emphasizes its challenging nature. Treatment approaches hinge on various factors, including the cancer’s size and type, location, spread, and the patient’s overall health.
Cancer Surge
Spotting symptoms can be tricky as they can overlap with less severe conditions like reflux. Warning signs include difficulty swallowing, nausea, heartburn, belching, persistent coughing, and a hoarse voice, among others.
Following oesophageal cancer, the most prevalent types of cancer in Lancashire are:
Cervix uteri (32 percent higher than the national average)
Liver (28 percent higher)
Lung, trachea, and bronchus (20 percent higher)
Uterus (18 percent higher)
Ovarian (17 percent higher)
Skin (15 percent higher)
Lancashire has the highest incidence of cervical cancer in the North West, with oesophageal cancer trailing closely behind Merseyside, which tops the regional list.
Liver cancer, previously not in the top ten, now ranks as the third most diagnosed cancer in Lancashire.
Since North West
Cancer Surge Research’s first regional report in 2020, cancer incidence rates in Lancashire and the North West have consistently remained above the national average.
The organization’s research suggests that the disproportionately high cancer rates in the North West are linked to significant levels of inequality.
Alastair Richards, CEO of North West Cancer Research, commented on the Lancashire statistics, emphasizing the urgent need for localized attention to address the region’s specific cancer challenges. He highlighted the necessity for targeted, community-level support addressing both the societal and medical aspects of cancer. He stressed the importance of disconnecting a person’s likelihood of developing cancer from their place of residence, advocating for research projects and awareness campaigns aimed at breaking this connection.
