On the state of public health
(published 14th July 2008)
The Chief Medical Officer (Sir Liam Donaldson) has just published the latest in a series of Annual Reports produced by the Chief Medical Officer since Victorian times.
We are delighted that in this year’s Annual report the CMO has addressed five new public health topics of which one highlights oesophageal cancer.
The CMO states: “Levels of oesophageal cancer in the population of England are amongst the worst in Europe. Whilst some other nations’ rates are falling, in England the situation is getting worse. Despite these worsening trends, not enough is known about why this is happening”
Keypoints include:
- Oesophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths in England and Wales. Every year, it kills over 6,000 people
- Over the last two decades, the incidence of cancer of the oesophagus has gone up by 87% for men and 40% for women
- Parts of England (along with Scotland) have some of the highest rates of oesophageal cancer in Europe
- At the same time, incidence has fallen sharply in some other European countries (for example France)
- These trends and patterns are unexplained.
The CMO’s chief recommendations are:
- A large-scale national research study should be commissioned to investigate the risk factors contributing to rising rates of cancer of the oesophagus
- Research should be supported to explore the possibilities of new diagnostic techniques, including potential minimally invasive screening tests
- Better education programmes must be developed to improve public awareness of the symptoms of oesophageal cancer, and the risk factors.
The full report is available on the Department of Health website.
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