The likelihood of patients surviving lung cancer for 5 years or more is predicted to have doubled in England over the last 20 years - according to a new study presented at the British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting today (Thursday 3rd December 2015).

In 1995, five year survival from lung cancer was 6.5% - in 2013, it is predicted to be 16%.

Meanwhile one year survival from lung cancer rose from 23.2% in 1995 to 39.0% in 2012.

International comparisons show that lung cancer survival has improved steadily in wealthy countries in recent decades. Survival is improving in all countries but in England it has consistently lagged behind other countries. In 2010 England had as good one year survival as Denmark had in 2005-2009 (35%), but worse survival than in Canada (40%) or Sweden (41%) in 2005-09. Recent trends show that survival improvement in England has accelerated from 2009 and reached 39% in 2012. This may lead to England closing the international lung cancer survival gap, although the extent of recent improvement in other countries is not yet known.

This research undertaken by a unique collaboration of cross-sector health organisations in England suggests that that use of national audit data to drive improvement in NHS services and better patient outcomes has been successful.

Researchers believe a significant factor in the improvement of lung cancer survival rates in England is the increase in the number of patients receiving a form of surgery called lung resection. The proportion of patients receiving this surgery rose from 14% in 2005 to 23% in 2013.

The study is a joint collaboration between; Royal College of Physicians, London, Cancer Research UK, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons Great Britain and Ireland, and the National Cancer Intelligence Network.

The study analysed multiple aspects of treatment for lung cancer (including surgery) as well as actual and predicted one and five year survival rates in England, comparing these with other countries. Data from many different sources was analysed covering the period 1995 to 2013 including the National Lung Cancer Audit (NLCA), National Cancer Registration Service (NCRS), Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons (SCTS).

Dr Paul Beckett, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Royal Derby Hospital and co-clinical lead of the National Lung Cancer Audit said:

"The improvements in survival for lung cancer patients in England are welcome and brings us much closer to the rates reported in other Westernised countries.

There is no room for complacency and there's much more to be done, however this is good news for patients and very encouraging for the community of professionals who work in this area."

Dr Lisa Davies, Consultant Lung Physician at University Hospital Aintree NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, and Chair of the British Thoracic Society Executive Committee said:

"We must build on this good news and continue to combat lung cancer on all fronts.

First we need a long term well-funded tobacco control strategy to help more people quit smoking and prevent the majority of lung cancer cases occurring in the first place. More effort to reduce socio-economically driven health inequalities is also needed as the difference in smoking rates between the wealthiest and those who are financially worst off continues to grow.

But to drive further improvements in survival rates we must continue to work together across the NHS to deliver effective evidence-based diagnosis and treatment. Finally, we must also continue with widespread public education initiatives so we can catch the disease earlier when it is more treatable."

Tim Graham, President for the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery, said:

"This significant increase in survival for lung cancer patients is excellent news.  It partly reflects increased access to high quality lung cancer surgery, and improved surgical involvement in lung cancer teams.  The SCTS is proud of its collaboration with the NLCA, and believes that robust audit will continue to drive improvements in care."

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation welcomes the improvement in lung cancer survival rates.  Paula Chadwick the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation said:

"We would like to recognise the work done by all of the committed health professionals and organisations involved in improving 5 year survival rates specifically the increase in the number of lung resections. Our foundation is patient led and we see first-hand the impact this step change is making." 

According to the ONS, in 1971, there were 99 deaths per 100,000 men and 17 deaths per 100,000 women caused by lung cancer, while in 2011 there were 45 deaths per 100,000 men and 30 deaths per 100,000 women.  This represents a 55% decrease in mortality rates for men, while the mortality rate for women has increased by 76%. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer for both men and women in England1.