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The Cancer Plan sets out the first comprehensive national cancer programme for England.
to save more lives
to ensure people with cancer get the right professional support and care as well as the best treatments
to tackle the inequalities in health that mean unskilled workers are twice as likely to die from cancer as professionals
to build for the future through investment in the cancer workforce, through strong research and through preparation for the genetics revolution,
so that the NHS never falls behind in cancer care again.
Reducing Inequalities in Cancer Mortality
Cancer incidence and mortality rates are higher in areas of social deprivation. This is mainly due to higher
smoking levels and poorer diet. Later diagnosis due to lower uptake of screening and patients with symptoms
waiting longer before going to see their GP also plays a part.
In the new Public Services Agreement (PSA) there is a challenging new target to tackle the social inequalities
which exist in relation to death rates from cancer. The target is to achieve a reduction in the inequalities gap of at least 6%
between the fifth of areas with the worst health and deprivation indicators and the population as a whole.
This target will be met by helping PCTs, Trusts and SHAs to:
maximise the numbers of people using stop smoking services
encourage patients to present to their GPs earlier, without causing unnecessary anxiety
increase the coverage of breast and cervical screening
ensure breast screening is extended to 65-70 year-old women
ensure the NICE referral guidelines are followed in primary care
improving access to diagnostic tests for GPs.
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