Cancer survival indicators by Cancer Network: a methodological perspective
Libby Ellis1, Bernard Rachet, Michel P Coleman
1London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Health Statistics Quarterly
|December 21, 2007
Summary
Cancer Networks in England are suitable for analyzing cancer survival rates. This study found survival estimates for breast and colon cancers were stable across networks, supporting their use as NHS performance indicators.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Cancer Networks manage England's cancer services, offering logical geographic units for survival analysis.
- Patient pathways (referral, diagnosis, treatment) are typically contained within a single Cancer Network.
- Assessing cancer survival indicators requires suitable geographic units for performance monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the suitability of Cancer Networks as geographic units for cancer survival indicators.
- To evaluate cancer survival data based on patient residence within Cancer Networks.
- To inform the Department of Health and National Health Service (NHS) on performance measurement.
Main Methods:
- Utilized incidence data from the National Cancer Registry.
- Estimated survival rates for breast and colon cancers diagnosed between 1996-1998.
- Analyzed survival based on patients' Cancer Network of residence.
Main Results:
- Cancer survival estimates showed minimal variation between different Cancer Networks.
- Survival estimates demonstrated general stability over the study period.
- Cancer Networks proved to be consistent units for survival analysis.
Conclusions:
- Cancer Networks are appropriate geographic units for analyzing cancer survival.
- These networks can be effectively used as a performance indicator for the NHS.
- The study supports the use of Cancer Networks for national cancer service evaluation.
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