Local Cancer Statistics explained

Local profiles

Performance statistics, benchmarked to averages, with analytical commentary.Profiles for EnglandOverviews for Wales, Scotland and NI

Guidance to help you understand the local level cancer data.

Understanding the data

The data we use comes from a range of publicly available sources, usually directly from the health system or the government of the country that the location searched for is based in. For links to the sources of the data please send an email to the local stats team.

The data we use is the most recent data that is available to the public. The process of registering a new case of cancer is complex and there are a number of processes in place to ensure the data is of a high-quality so there is usually a delay of around 18 months before the data is complete enough for the sources to publish.

We present data for the areas through which the government manages healthcare services. For the same reason, it is at these geographies that the government most frequently publishes health data.

We have selected the cancer types that are most common. National level statistics on all cancer types are available on our Cancer Statistics pages.

Because some data is published at CCG level and some at Local Authority, our system automatically picks up the relevant area in which the data is collected. For example, smoking rates are published by Local Authority, so our system automatically selects the Local Authority that is relevant to your area.

Since each UK nation collects similar sounding data in different ways, we can only compare local areas within each UK country.

An area may be different to the national average for many reasons. It doesn’t necessarily mean that this is better or worse. For example, areas with a greater older population may have higher incidence of cancer, because age is a key factor in the likelihood of having cancer. Conversations should always be had locally with those who understand local conditions.

Measures are referred to as ‘similar’ when the difference from the average is not statistically significant.

The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are known as crown dependencies, and are self-governing. As such, they are not included in UK statistics.

See information and explanations on terminology used for statistics and reporting of cancer, and the methods used to calculate some of our statistics.

Our About Cancer section offer easy to understand information on all aspects of cancer and cancer care. 

You can also talk to a specially trained nurse on 0808 800 4040 or by email.

 

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