Breast cancer survival rate among worst

THE first global study of cancer rates has found that Ireland has one of the worst survival rates for breast cancer with countries like the US, Canada and Sweden offering the best hope of survival for women.

The research, conducted by 100 scientists over five continents, has revealed huge variations in cancer survival rates across the world. The US, Australia, Canada, France and Japan have the highest five-year survival rates while Algeria had the worst.

The researchers, who published their work in the Lancet Oncology Journal, said that the amount spent on healthcare was an important factor in the differences between countries, with greater investment meaning faster access to diagnostics and treatment.

Ireland ranks particularly badly in breast cancer and male colorectal survival — sitting in the bottom half of the table. In prostrate cancer, Ireland ranks in the top half of the table.

Death rates from 1990-1994 were used in the international study with five-year survival rates recorded from 1994-1999.

According to data provided by the Irish Cancer Registry (ICR), Ireland has 69.6% five-year survival rates for breast cancer, 48.5% for colon in women and 49.1% for colon in men.

The ICR also record a 41.1% survival for male rectal cancer and 52.5% for female rectal cancer. Colorectal survival rates stood at 50% for women and 46% for men. Prostrate survival rates in this country are 62.8%

In contrast, the US had the highest five-year survival rates for breast cancer at 83.9% and prostate cancer at 91.9%.

Japan came out best for male colon and rectal cancers, at 63% and 58.2% respectively, while France faired best for women with those cancers recording a 60.1% and 63.9% survival rate respectively.

Britain recorded a 69.7% survival for breast cancer, just above 40% for both colon and rectal cancer in both men and women and 51.1% for prostate cancer.

Algeria, the only African country involved, came bottom in all types of cancer survival.

Dr Paul Walsh of the National Cancer Registry said that survival rates have improved since the 1990s with greater investment in diagnostics, consultant figures and oncology units.

However, he warned that other countries are also likely to have increased investment. He also added that Ireland only provided data for 1994 as Irish data was unavailable for 1990-1993.

“A more recent Eurocare study has shown improvements in Irish survival rates but we are still not doing too well within Europe,” he said. He added that Ireland’s better prostrate survival figures reflected our greater usage of PSA testing which can detect early cases of prostrate cancer.

In the words of the report authors: “Survival is positively associated with GDP and the amount of investment in health technology such as CT scanners. Part of the international variation in survival is therefore probably attributable to under-investment in health resources.” Cancer treatment: Sweden tops poll

* Sweden has the highest European breast cancer survival rate with 82% of patients still alive five years later.

* France has the highest survival rate for cancers of the rectum and colon with up to 60% survival rates.

* The worst performing countries were in Eastern Europe. Poland had the lowest survival rates for all cancers studied except rectal cancer in men and breast cancer.

* Slovakia was at the bottom of the league in breast and male rectal cancer with 57.9% survival and 27.6% respectively.