Patient data was used by Pancreatic Cancer UK to campaign for faster treatment for people affected by pancreatic cancer
What happened?
Pancreatic Cancer UK used publicly available data from NCRAS to create a campaign demanding faster and better treatment for pancreatic cancer patients. NCRAS analyses patient data and regularly releases anonymous statistics for anyone to use. Pancreatic Cancer UK used this data and found that 1 in 4 pancreatic cancer patients die within a month compared to 1 in 10 patients diagnosed with the other common cancers. Pancreatic Cancer UK wrote a report to influence the NHS and the government and demand faster treatment to improve patient lives.
Why was this work needed?
Only 1 in 4 people with pancreatic cancer live beyond a year and less than 7% of patients in the UK will survive for five years after diagnosis. Without patient data we would not know this. Using patient data to improve our understanding of cancer is important to know how healthcare can be improved to save lives.
What are the benefits?
Patient data from NCRAS has helped Pancreatic Cancer UK to understand where and how treatment can be improved. It has helped to shape the policy demands made by Pancreatic Cancer UK, the charity would like to see people affected by pancreatic cancer are treated within 20 days of diagnosis. Using patient data will help make improvements in care.
What type of data was involved?
Pancreatic Cancer UK used publicly available data from NCRAS to provide evidence in their campaign. This data has come from the Routes to Diagnosis and treatment publications from NCRAS.
What was the legal basis for accessing this data?
Pancreatic Cancer UK used publicly available data from NCRAS. NCRAS has legal permission to collect patient data under Section 251 of the NHS Act 2006. NCRAS regularly analyses and releases anonymous data for public use.
Who funded and collaborated on this work?
Pancreatic CancerUK authored their report using data produced by NCRAS and Cancer Research UK.
Where can I go for more information?
Pancreatic won’t wait – the case for faster treatment
Pancreatic Cancer UK Blog – A small step that gives our campaigns tremendous power
If you are affected by pancreatic cancer and you need help, Pancreatic Cancer UK has a dedicated support line that you can call for free.
This work uses data that has been provided by patients and collected by the NHS as part of their care and support. The data are collated, maintained and quality assured by the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service, which is part of Public Health England (PHE).