THE survival rate of cancer patients in Warrington one year after diagnosis is still on the rise, new figures show.

But it comes as early diagnosis rates lag behind targets set by the Government for 75 per cent of cancer cases to be detected at stage one or two by 2028.

It is hoped that this could be boosted however by a pioneering initiative being trialled in the town which has shown early promise.

NHS Digital figures show 75.6 per cent of people living in the NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group area survived the first year after their cancer diagnosis in 2019.

This was up from 74.9 per cent the year prior, and 60.5 per cent in 2004, when records began.

Across England, one-year survival rates steadily rose over 15 years, from 64.4 per cent to 74.6 per cent.

However, little progress has been made on early diagnosis, and the national rate remains well below the 75 per cent target, which was first announced as part of the NHS Long Term Plan in 2018.

Separate NHS Digital figures show just 55 per cent of cancers were detected at earlier stages in 2019 – the latest available figures.

This was an increase of just 0.3 percentage points compared to 2013, when records began,

In Warrington, 54.8 per cent of all cancer diagnoses in 2019 were classified as stage one or two, down from 55.5 per cent over the same time period.

Jon Hayes, managing director of Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance, said: “It is pleasing to see that survival rates of patients in Warrington a year after diagnosis are improving.

“The Cancer Alliance is working with healthcare organisations across Warrington to improve these figures further.

“Detecting cancers earlier is a high priority, as the earlier cancer is found, the easier they are to treat, and outcomes for patients are more successful.

“Despite the pandemic, there are pioneering initiatives that could help to increase early diagnosis, including the NHS-Galleri blood test clinical trial, which participants from Warrington took part in last October.

“It is vitally important to come forward as soon as symptoms of cancer are present, and if something does not feel right in your body, please speak to your GP.”

The ‘game-changing’ Galleri test can detect more than 50 types of cancer – including head and neck, bowel, lung, pancreatic and throat – and it has shown great promise for early diagnosis so far.

Research has shown that the Galleri test is particularly effective at finding cancers that are difficult to identify early.

The study is being carried out across Cheshire and Merseyside and in other areas of the country, with tens of thousands of people already taking part.

The initial results of the study are expected by 2023, and if successful, NHS England plans to extend the rollout to a further one million people in 2024 and 2025.

Nationally, an NHS England spokesman said cancer care is a priority for the organisation, and the £3.8billion plan to recover elective care over the next three years will help to catch and treat more cancers at an early stage.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman added: “We recognise that business as usual on cancer is not enough.

“That is why we have redoubled our efforts and are developing a 10-year cancer plan to set out how we will lead the world in cancer care.”

The DHSC has promised to tackle the Covid-19 backlog, reduce cancer waiting times and invest £8billion over the next three years, adding to an extra £2billion investment in 2021.