A STUDY by Macmillan Cancer Support shows Wales' cancer survival rates are trailing 10 years behind other European countries, a charity has warned.

Macmillan Cancer Support said survival rates are lagging so far behind much of the rest of Europe they are currently ‘stuck in the 1990’s.’

For lung cancer in particular there is not only the disparity with European survival rates but also the experience of patients in Wales is poor.

Analysis of the most recent results from global research into cancer survival, the CONCORD-2 study, looked at four common cancers in the UK: breast, lung, colon and stomach, and found that people with lung cancer in Austria were almost twice as likely to still be alive five years after diagnosis as patients in Wales and the UK (18% compared with 10% of those diagnosed between 2005 and 2009).

While 19% of people found to have stomach cancer between 2005 and 2009 in Wales and the UK survived, the figure was 31% for those diagnosed in Italy between 1995 and 1999, 30% in Austria and 23% in Germany.

Just over half (54%) of people diagnosed with colon cancer in Wales and the UK between 2005 and 2009 survived, but 59% for those diagnosed in Finland between 1995 and 1999 survived, 58% did in Italy and 57% in France.

In the Wales Cancer Patient Experience Survey published in January 2014 patients diagnosed with lung cancer were much less positive about their treatment than patients from other countries.

Macmillan Cancer Support General Manager for Wales Susan Morris said: “Our neighbours in Europe are achieving better survival rates than Wales.

“The Welsh Government’s Cancer Delivery Plan for Wales aspires to close the disparity between Wales and the most successful European countries but our report shows that the gap is still too wide.

“Macmillan is encouraged that the Welsh Government has specifically identified that more needs to be done for people diagnosed with lung cancer, and Macmillan is taking part in that task force.

“Macmillan is also already working on what we think a new Cancer Delivery Plan for Wales should include and will be setting this out in advance of the 2016 Assembly Elections.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are making progress. NHS Wales is treating 12% more cancer cases than it was in 2004 and survival is still on the increase. As acknowledged we are proud to be working with partners such as Macmillan to make further and faster progress.

“Everyone has a role to play in improving cancer survival, through positive lifestyle choices, acting on the symptoms of cancer as well as ensuring effective services are in place.”