BREAST and bowel cancer patients in Oxfordshire are among the most likely in the country to survive for at least a year after they are diagnosed.

Survival rates for patients with the two types of cancer were in the top 25 per cent across the whole country, according to a government investigation.

But health officials last night admitted more work was needed to improve survival rates for lung cancer sufferers in the county.

The Department of Health released statistics from all 152 of the country’s Primary Care Trusts yesterday, which showed a dramatic variation in survival rates across the UK.

Last night charity Cancer Research UK said the report confirmed a huge health postcode lottery existed across the country.

Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “There is no excuse for such a big difference between different areas.

“We’re pleased that the Department of Health has been bold enough to publish these figures. The NHS now needs to take them very seriously.”

In Oxfordshire, the chances of surviving for at least a year after diagnosis was 97 per cent for breast cancer patients, the highest rate in the whole of the South Central Strategic Health Authority, alongside Buckinghamshire PCT.

The figure was also better than the UK average survival rate for breast cancer of 95.1 per cent.

For colorectal, or bowel, cancer the one year survival rate reached 75.4 per cent – again the best compared with the nine other PCTs, which fall under the same health authority (SHA).

But the outlook for patients with lung cancer was not so good, with one year survival rates reaching only 27.2 per cent, ranking fourth in the south central SHA, behind Southampton, Buckinghamshire and Porstmouth.

Dr Tom Porter, acting consultant in Public Health for Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust, said the figures were generally encouraging, as were the survival rates for breast and colorectal cancer.

He said: ”We know that one of the contributing factors to the good survival rates is because our area is relatively affluent. But there are still areas of deprivation within Oxfordshire, so we’re not resting on our laurels.”

Dr Porter also warned more work needed to be carried out on lung cancer survival rates.

He said: “The problem with lung cancer is that we just don’t have many new treatments around that improve long-term survival. But around 90 per cent of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking, so we are still pressing on with the message about cessation.”

Deb Hunt, 44, from Middle Barton, was diagnosed with breast cancer in April last year.

She said she was not surprised Oxfordshire had ranked highly for breast cancer survival rates as she was diagnosed very quickly.

She said: “People are usually referred within two weeks so this doesn’t surprise me at all.”

Ann Bowler, from Kennington, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the Churchill Hospital, in Headington earlier this year and has since had two lumpectomies.

Her husband Colin, also passed away after a 23-year battle against a series of cancers She said: “The only thing that could be improved now in Oxford is for more drugs to be created and then made available.”

Have you been affected by the NHS postcode lottery? Let Amanda know on 01865 425426 or email awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk