Last week (Monday 13th – Friday 17th January), the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce (LSCT) marked Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Week to raise awareness of cancers of the stomach, oesophageal, liver, pancreatic, lung and brain, which have an average five-year survival rate of just 16%.
These cancers have been neglected for decades. They are significantly underfunded, difficult to diagnose, and there is low public awareness of the associated symptoms. Guts UK is a founding charity member of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce, which aims to double the survival rates of the six less survivable cancers by 2029.

New data reveals shocking one-year survival rates
Data released by the Taskforce during Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Week shows that more than half of people (58%) in England diagnosed with a cancer of the stomach, oesophagus, liver, pancreas, lung and brain will die from their disease within one year.
Over 90,000 people are diagnosed with one of the less survivable cancers in the UK every year, and they account for nearly half of all common cancer deaths. These cancers are overwhelmingly diagnosed at later stages compared to other cancers.
The new analysis of existing cancer registry data shows that the average one-year survival for a patient diagnosed with a less survivable cancer in England is just 42%. This contrasts sharply with the overall one-year survival rate for all cancers, which is over 70%.
Only 28% of patients diagnosed with cancers of the stomach, pancreas, liver, oesophagus, lung or brain are diagnosed at stage 1 or 2, compared to 54% for all cancer types. This late-stage diagnosis limits the potential for treatments that could significantly improve survival rates.
Despite their prevalence, the less survivable cancers receive a fraction of the research funding of more survivable cancers, with just 16.6% begin dedicated to these cancer types.

Calling for change
The Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce is calling for government-level commitments to prioritise early detection, research funding, and the development of new treatment options, with the aim of reducing the stark inequalities in prognosis.
On Tuesday, the inaugural meeting of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Less Survivable Cancers took place, chaired by Paulette Hamilton MP. This group of parliamentarians will play a key role in influencing policy to improve outcomes for people with less survivable cancers in Westminster.

On Wednesday, the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce hosted an event at Welsh Parliament, sponsored by Joyce Watson MS and supported by Tenocus Cancer Care. 20 Members of the Senedd were in attendance, leading to increased support for an action plan on less survivable cancers in Wales.

On Thursday, we visited Scottish Parliament alongside our fellow Taskforce member charities. A drop-in event in Holyrood, sponsored by Jackie Baillie MSP, welcomed healthcare professionals and patient and family advocates to share their experiences and highlight the impact of the less survivable cancers for those affected.
The event welcomed the strategic focus on less survivable cancers in Scotland as part of the Cancer Strategy, and called for further progress to be made in early, the development of national pathways, and investment in research and workforce.

Guts UK was kindly joined by Ross, whose has been affected by stomach cancer. Ross’ auntie was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2015 and sadly died from the disease in 2017. Following her diagnosis, his mum was checked and was also diagnosed with stomach cancer. She had chemotherapy, followed by surgery to remove her stomach (gastrectomy). This prompted Ross and other members of his family to undergo testing, and Ross was found to carry a hereditary stomach cancer gene (CDH1).
After being told he had the gene and a high chance of developing stomach cancer, he decided to have a total gastrectomy(surgery to remove the stomach). Read more about Ross’ story here.
Raising public awareness
Together, members of the Taskforce came together to shine a light on the six less survivable cancers and the highlight the devastating impact low survival rates can have on those affected across the UK.
With a widespread media and social campaign, we raised vital public awareness of the symptoms of the six less survivable cancers, to help people better understand what to look out for and help the decide when they should seek further advice from a GP.
Read more about campaign media coverage.
Next steps
It’s vital that all UK governments take action to support the development and implementation of national action plans dedicated to improving outcomes for patients affected by these less survivable cancers.
Prioritising early detection, as well as improve research funding and invest in new treatment options to help improve the survival odds of these cancers.
The impact of late diagnosis can be devastating and more must be done to prioritise early detection, improve research funding into these cancer types, and invest in new treatment options to improve survival rates.
We’ll continue to work proudly alongside our fellow Taskforce members to raise greater awareness of the less survivable cancers, amplify the voices of patients and families affected, and campaign for change. Together, we will close the deadly cancer gap.