Variations in cancer survival rates revealed

Variations in survival rates were found

Huge variations in the survival rates of women with breast cancer across Scotland have been revealed in new research.

A study by the Cancer Research Campaign has shown that in some health board areas women are twice likely to die within 10 years of being diagnosed than in others.

But the charity has warned that this type of research might not be available in future if Scotland adopts European Data Protection legislation.

The research was based on analysis of more than ten years worth of figures to provide an overview of treatment in the NHS in Scotland since 1995.

It's difficult to avoid the conclusion that in the past there have been unacceptable differences in the quality of care within different health boards

Dr Chris Twelves

Is shows what the campaign calls "significant variation" between health boards.

In Ayrshire and Arran, the Borders, and Argyll and Clyde the risk of dying from breast cancer within 10 years of diagnosis is up to 50% more than in the Highlands, Grampian and Dumfries and Galloway.

This is a retrospective study, and the Scottish Executive has already put in place measures to deal with the variation in treatment.

However, scientists warn that their access to comprehensive figures is under threat from the Data Protection Act.

The executive is considering how to this European legislation.

The charity warned that any move to compel people to formally consent to passing on their records could be counterproductive.

'Extremely worrying'

It said people have many worries on their mind when they are diagnosed with cancer and they may not give proper consideration to allowing permission for their records to be used.

Dr Chris Twelves, of The Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow, said variations depended on a number of factors including the price of treatments given, whether surgery was undertaken, and if a patient was seen by an experienced specialist.

He said: "The variation in survival is extremely worrying. It's difficult to avoid the conclusion that in the past there have been unacceptable differences in the quality of care within different health boards."

The study is based on data from more than 2,000 women across Scotland who were diagnosed with cancer in 1987 and is based on their survival rate 10 years after diagnosis.

He added: "Although these women were diagnosed in 1987, what worries me is that in the future fundamental flaws in our health system could be allowed to fester unnoticed.

'Diluted information'

"Draconian new rules which could be put in place by the Scottish Executive will make it very difficult to collect data in the future."

Dr Twelves said the current level of access available enables specialised research teams to pin point exactly where there are differences in care and help them determine what has to be done to enable women to live longer in Scotland as a whole.

He added: "The strength of our current statistics on breast cancer is their universality - everyone is included.

"But as soon as people start opting out of the system or doctors forget to ask permission we will begin diluting the information available until it becomes unusable."