Cancer patients living longer

CANCER survival rates in Oldham have drastically improved over the past 16 years. Almost two-thirds of patients now survive a year following diagnosis.

The Office of National Statistics says Oldham is the 26th most improved area for cancer survival.

Survival rates rose from 54.2 per cent in 1996 to 66.2 per cent in 2011.

Dr Matthias Hohmann, clinical director for Cancer at Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “We are pleased the one-year cancer survival rate across Oldham has increased, and that the work of Oldham’s clinical and care services are making a real difference to cancer patients in the region.

Central Manchester had the biggest increase in the area, from 52.8 per cent in 1996 to 70.5 per cent in 2011.

Some of the best cancer survival rates in the country were recorded in Trafford and Stockport, both in the top 10 with figures of 71 per cent and 70.8 per cent for 2011.