The rate of survival for lung cancer patients in Devon one year on from their diagnosis has fallen in recent years, new figures show.

Cancer Research UK said national figures show improvements in cancer survival, yet also highlight disparity across England. The charity said chances of surviving cancer should not vary depending on where patients live.

NHS figures show 48.4% of people diagnosed with lung cancer in the former NHS Devon CCG in 2020 survived the first year. This is down from a survival rate of 49.2% in 2019.

However, it was up from a one-year survival rate of 36.9% a decade prior in 2010.

Across England, the survival rate of lung cancer patients one year on from their diagnosis has increased from 35.3% in 2010 to 48.1% in 2020. In 2019 it was 46.9%.

Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK chief executive, said despite the data showing improvements in cancer survival in England, there is still "unacceptable" disparity across England.

She said: "Our chances of surviving cancer should not vary depending on where we live."

She added workforce shortages area a critical barrier in deliver timely diagnosis and treatment for cancer patients and called on the Government to publish a fully-costed workforce plan for England to improve staff recruitment and retainment.

The survival rate for all cancer patients one year on from diagnosis reached 74.6% in 2020 – up from 68.7% a decade prior.

In Devon it has increased from 70.5% in 2010 to 75.5% in 2020.

Dame Cally Palmer, NHS national cancer director, said it is "fantastic" that cancer survival rates have been rising steadily over the last decade.

"The NHS is pulling out all the stops so we can boost that even further," she added. “So, as ever people should come forward for checks if they have concerns – the NHS is here for you.”

The data also shows the one-year survival rate for women with breast cancer in Devon increased from 95.7% in 2010 to 97.9% in 2020.

The survival rate for people with colorectal cancer in rose from 79% in 2010 to 81.1% in 2020.

Health Minister Helen Whately said: "These figures are highly encouraging and support those released earlier this year which show improved survival rates across almost all types of cancer. They are evidence of the great strides being made by the NHS, scientists and our incredible cancer charities."

She added the Government is focused on fighting cancer through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research and funding. She said over 94 ‘one stop shops’ have been opened so people can have quicker access to tests, scans and checks.

"We know there is more to do and early diagnosis is crucial to improving survival rates even further. Our ambition is to diagnose 75% of cancer at an early stage by 2028 which will help save tens of thousands of lives for longer," the minister added.