'A real concern' - Participation in GP cancer screening way below national averages
Participation in three GP cancer screening programmes in North Tyneside are below national averages, with one as low as 31.5%.
Screening helps to find people at risk of certain conditions but low uptake rates have been attributed to deprivation. According to the latest North Tyneside Council figures from 2023/24, while overall screening rates are around the national average some GP practices are seeing participation in some programmes fall significantly below.
The lowest GP rates of screening in the area are as follows:
- Cervical cancer (50-64 years), 3.5 year coverage: 69.6% (England rate 74.9%)
- Breast cancer uptake (50-70 years) screened: 31.5% (England rate: 70.4%)
- Bowel cancer uptake (60-74 years) screened: 70.2% (England rate: 71.8)
The council’s report goes on to state: “There is variation at a GP level which reflects, though is not totally determined by, the social gradient, with GP practices serving more deprived areas having lower coverage rates. However, inequalities are also evident in certain population groups such as those with [sic] Learning Difficulty.”
The average overall rate for the screening of cervical cancer in the young and old, alongside breast and bowel do remain above the national average. Wendy Burke, director of public health and North Tyneside Council, said: “One of the pleasing things to see in cancer screening is the improvement of breast screening.
“Post pandemic screening levels had fallen I think to around 50% so it has really plummeted and that was a real concern for us. Where that’s picked up in terms of overall coverage, bearing in mind the inequalities, that is real progress. I think the [health and wellbeing] board should know that.”
The director continued: “Unlike breast cancer, bowel cancer is aligned with inequalities, so it follows that you are at greater risk if you are economically deprived, so that is of concern.” The report concluded with a recommendation that inequalities in relation to cancer screens remain focus for the local authority, and local health care providers.