CONCERN has been voiced at the number of cancer diagnoses not being made until after an emergency hospital admission.

According to new data, 21 per cent of cancers in this region are discovered through emergency routes – such as a visit to A&E.

The figure compares to a national average of 19 per cent.

And half of cancers in Yorkshire are not diagnosed until stages 3 or 4, making them more difficult to treat.

Yorkshire Cancer Research – which has released the statistics – says the NHS target is that by 2028, 75 per cent of all cancers should be diagnosed early.

But the charity warns that without improved access to screening, the region will miss the target by seven years.

Better early diagnosis is amongst several key areas Yorkshire Cancer Research is asking political leaders to support as part of its Change Yorkshire’s Cancer Story campaign.

Dr Stuart Griffiths, director of research with the charity, says: "Early diagnosis is critical to cancer survival, as more treatment options are available. We hope the Government and the region’s political leaders make early diagnosis a priority so more people have access to life-saving screening."

Yorkshire Cancer Research funds services across the region aimed at encouraging people to attend screening appointments when invited, raising awareness of cancer symptoms, and urging people to speak to their GP about any potential signs.

It also backed a trial which offered people across the region at higher risk of lung cancer the opportunity to be scanned for early signs of the disease.

Since it began at the end of 2018, nearly 8,000 people have been screened and almost 350 lung cancers detected.

Claire Nanyonga serves as a cancer care co-ordinator on the programme following her experience with cervical screening.

She had noticed unusual symptoms, but put off screening for more than a year.

When she did attend a screening appointment, the results showed the presence of grade 3 pre-cancerous cells.

Claire had the cells removed, and six months later another screening confirmed everything was normal.

She says: "Improving access to screening services in this region must be made a priority to ensure more cancers can be diagnosed at an early stage, when they're often easier to treat. In my case, I was lucky that the changes in cells were found and treated before they could develop."

For more about the Change Yorkshire’s Cancer Story campaign, visit yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/campaigning/yorkshires-cancer-story