MONDAY 8 JUNE 2009
Cancer Research UK Press Release
Checking lymph nodes during surgery and assessing the hormone status of tumours could help improve breast cancer
survival in the UK, according to research published today in Annals of Oncology.
In a study of over 9,000 breast cancer patients* at 10 hospitals in the East of England researchers found
that hospitals with a better average survival were those where surgeons checked lymph nodes during surgery in more
than 90 per cent of patients.
Professor Stephen Duffy, Cancer Research UK professor of screening and study author, said: "We found that the
proportion of women under 70 who had lymph node checks as recommended by NICE ranged from 81 per cent to 94 per cent
with the hospitals with higher percentages having better survival."
The study also found that, for women over 70, having surgery to remove their tumour and checking the hormone type
were the two main factors which explained survival differences between hospitals.
The hospitals showing better survival in the over 70s were those which assessed the hormone receptor status in more
of their patients.
The team of researchers** from London and Cambridge compared breast cancer survival rates between 10 different
hospitals across eastern England.
For women under 70 the five year relative survival rates ranged from 85 to 90 per cent. And for those over 70 the
survival rate was between 65 and 75 per cent.***
The figures are close to the highest rates in Europe**** but the researchers believe that survival could be even
better if all hospitals closely followed the existing surgical guidelines.
Professor Duffy continued: "Although survival rates for breast cancer are very good in hospitals we studied in the
East of England, rivalling the best in Europe, we have found that there is still room for improvement.
"One reason why survival varied between the hospitals for women under 70 was whether they had their lymph nodes
removed and examined. Another is screening as we know from previous studies that women have a much better chance of
survival if their tumour is picked up at an early stage. We would encourage all women to attend screening when
invited."
The researchers also found that more women older than 70 are surviving the disease if they have surgery. Another
important factor for this group of women was whether the cancer's hormone type was assessed at diagnosis. The
researchers believe that with more hospitals following the guidelines on hormone receptor typing, there would be
further improvements in survival.
Professor Gordon Wishart, the leading author on the study said: "Lymph node staging and hormone receptor typing
give valuable information to decide on optimal treatment after surgery. As more hospitals follow current professional
guidelines and carry out these investigations, more effective treatment will follow and patient survival is likely to
improve even further."
Professor Peter Johnson, Cancer Research UK's chief clinician, said: "It's very encouraging to see that at their
best, results from the UK are the equal of those in Europe. The real challenge is to make sure that consistently high
standards are met in all hospitals, so that every patient can benefit from the significant improvements in survival we
have made."
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact the press office on 020 7061 8300 or, out-of-hours, the duty press officer on
07050 264 059.
Notes to Editors:
*All women had been diagnosed with breast cancer between 1999 and 2003.
**The team of researchers included Dr Clement Brown of the Eastern Cancer Registration and Information Centre and
Professor Gordon Wishart, the lead author on the study.
***These figures are relative survival rates calculated from overall rates in the paper.
****Figures compared to the Eurocare study Comparative cancer survival information in Europe. Eur J Cancer. 2009
Apr;45(6):901-8.
About Cancer Research UK
• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to beat cancer.
• Cancer Research UK carries out world-class research to improve understanding of the disease and find out how
to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer.
• Cancer Research UK ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients.
• Cancer Research UK helps people to understand cancer, the progress that is being made and the choices each
person can make.
• Cancer Research UK works in partnership with others to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against
cancer.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020
7121 6699 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.
Researchers find clues to improve breast cancer survival
View this post on my blog: http://diseasecancer.net/researchers-find-clues-to-improve-breast-cancer-survival
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