Module 1: Epidemiology

Module 1 has already achieved one of its key aims: to produce a robust and comparable overview of cancer survival in the six different ICBP countries. The scientific paper ‘Cancer survival in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the UK, 1995-2007: the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership’ was published by the medical journal Lancet online in December 2010 and in the print edition in January 2011.  

The paper compares survival from colorectal, lung, breast, and ovarian cancer in the six ICBP countries for patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2007. The results show that cancer survival has improved in all countries but that differences remain.  Survival is higher in Australia, Canada, and Sweden, intermediate in Norway and lower in Denmark and the UK (England, Northern Ireland and Wales).

These differences were greatest in the first year after diagnosis and for patients aged 65 and older.  These results indicate that:

• patients might be diagnosed with a more advanced stage of cancer where treatment can be more difficult and less effective. This appears to be particularly relevant in the UK, Denmark and the elderly.
• there may be differences in treatment between countries.
  Module 1 is now exploring these two possible factors in more detail to see what impact they may have on survival outcomes. The analytical team is currently looking at the stage at which cancer patients are diagnosed across ICBP partner countries. The team is also finding out if treatment differs between partners. In particular, the team is comparing access to surgery , radiotherapy  and chemotherapy in partner countries.

The first Module 1 publication is available for download free of charge from the Lancet's webpage. The Cancer Research UK Science blog provides a more general take on what these results mean.

Module 1 has recently achieved another of its key aims – the analysis of cancer survival by stage at diagnosis, using registry data, in the six ICBP countries. This analysis was carried out on four different cancer types: ovarian, colorectal, breast and lung cancer.
You can find more information on this work on our publications page.

The Module 1 analytical team is led by Professor Michel Coleman and based in the London School of Hygiene and Tropical medicine.

An international team of cancer registry leads and clinicians from all ICBP partner countries is working very closely with the analytical team on Module 1 results. This collaboration of experts ensures that the data are of a high quality and the results are represented and interpreted appropriately. The ICBP programme board oversees the work of Module 1 and the ICBP overall.

Module 1 is funded by the Department of Health (England) and the National Cancer Action Team (NCAT). This funding is a direct result of the Cancer Reform Strategy for England. Cancer Research UK is supporting this module and managing its delivery.