CANCER survival rates for patients in north east Essex have improved.

Figures from Public Health England show the one year survival rate for patients in the region diagnosed with cancer was 72.8 per cent in 2017.

Five years ago the rate for the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group was 70.9 per cent and ten years ago it was 67.9 per cent.

However, it is still below the national average.

The one year index of cancer survival for England has increased from 62.6 per cent in 2002 to 73.3 per cent in 2017.

The index of cancer survival provides a single number that summarises the overall pattern of net cancer survival.

It combines net survival estimates for breast cancer, bowel cancer, lung cancer and all other invasive cancers, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer and prostate cancer.

The improvement has been put down to the close collaboration of the NHS West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, NHS West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, GPs and partners.

Richard Watson, deputy chief executive of the clinical commissioning groups, said: “It is really pleasing to witness year-on-year improvement to our cancer survival rates along with west Suffolk achieving best in the region status.

“Despite this good work there is still a lot more to be done so we can be achieve even higher survival rates and a greater level of consistency.

“The key to achieving this will be greater levels of partnership working through the integrated care system.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the many dedicated and hardworking staff who contribute so much to the NHS and do their very best for patients.”