Renewed calls for North Wales cancer diagnosis centre

There are renewed calls for a North Wales based cancer diagnosis centre after a report found the region has a ‘number of specific health challenges’ and ‘over-indexes on 17 cancers’ compared to the Welsh average.

The calls come following a new report from North West Cancer Research said people living in North Wales face a higher risk of developing cancer than the rest of the country.

According to the research, head and neck cancers have an 18% higher average incidence rate than the rest of Wales.

North Wales also has significantly higher rates of colon cancer than the rest of the country, with an 18% higher average rate of incidence.

Three of the six counties surveyed in North Wales have “markedly higher rates” of breast cancer than the national average, with overall rates of breast cancer in North Wales 15% higher than the national average.

Plaid Cymru has been campaigning for a rapid diagnostic regional hub in North Wales.

The calls have been reiterated by local campaigner Becky Williams, the widow of cancer campaigner Irfon Williams who used his diagnosis of bowel cancer to highlight that cancer patients In Wales had less access to cancer treatments than the rest of the UK’

Recently published mortality figures reveal that cancer is the single biggest cause of death in North Wales, with 2,291 of the 8,156 recorded deaths attributable to the disease.

A study carried out by Swansea University’s Centre for Health and Economics found that waiting times for patients seen at rapid diagnostic centres were cut to less than six days, a 92% reduction in waiting times in the first year.

Plaid Cymru’s Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “Research shows that rapid diagnosis centres reduce mean time until diagnosis from 84 days to six days. Early diagnosis is critical to improve patient outcomes.

This is why we need to roll out more diagnostic centres across Wales, particularly here in rural North Wales.”

The Welsh Government have piloted rapid diagnostic centres in the two of the South Wales health board areas and they’ve been hailed a massive success.

Local campaigner Becky Williams said: “I support Plaid Cymru’s call for a rapid diagnostic centre in North Wales.

Wales has some of the poorest outcomes in Europe for bowel cancer – and one of the lowest cancer survival rates in Europe.

We know that early diagnosis and treatment of not just bowel cancer but all cancers lead to improved outcomes for patients.

An early diagnosis is the difference between life and death – it’s as simple as that.”

£6.5m for new digital service for cancer care in Wales

Health Minister Vaughan Gething has announced £6.5m for a new digital service for cancer care in Wales.

The new system will replace the one currently used by cancer centres in Wales.

By integrating with local and national NHS Wales digital services, people in Wales can be assured that their cancer care and specific needs are being taken into account wherever they are being treated.

The new system could be available nationally as early as 2022.

Mr Gething said: “Cancer survival rates in Wales are improving but I want us to do even better. That is why we’re working to improve the timeliness, consistency and quality of cancer care in Wales.

This investment will deliver a more secure, reliable and integrated digital service for cancer care across Wales.

It will also ensure a person’s electronic health and care record includes relevant information about their cancer treatment, so that they can have the care they need, when they need it, wherever they are.

“This will support the introduction of the UK’s first Single Cancer Pathway and our intentions to build a new Velindre Cancer Centre.”

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