International Journal of Surgery: Research & Review Articles, Editorials and News related to Surgery

AIMS & METHODS: To analyse trends in the number of suspected UGI and LGI cancer referrals for all London Acute NHS Hospital Trusts (AHT) between 2004-2005.
Data for suspected UGI and LGI cancer referrals seen during the quarter for each AHT in the London area was compared.
Names of London AHTs were obtained from the NHS website. AHTs were into their previous respective Strategic Health Authority (SHAs)localities. Resident population estimates (2004 mid-year estimates) for the 5 former London SHAs were based on the ONS National Population Census 2001. Summary statistics were calculated.

TABLE:

UGI and LGI Suspected Cancer Referrals 2004-2005

UGI Cancer Referrals

UGI Cancer Referrals
Pop corrected 10^6

LGI Cancer Referrals

LGI Cancer Referrals
Pop corrected 10^6

North Central London
NCL

815

663

2395

1947

North East London
NEL

2698

1763

3984

2604

South East London
SEL

2638

1747

5472

3624

South West London
SWL

1823

1381

3380

2561

North West London
NWL

926

506

3526

1927

109536

2231

182479

3716

RESULTS: There were 109,536 UGI and 182,479 LGI suspected cancer referrals for over 2004-2005, of which 8,900 UGI and 18,757 LGI suspected cancer referrals were from London . Significant variation was seen in the numbers of suspected UGI Cancer Referrals in each SHA (ratio between lowest (NWL) and highest (NEL) being 3.3). Significant variation was seen in the number of suspected LGI Cancer Referrals in each SHA (ratio between lowest (NWL) and highest (NEL) being 2.3). London has significantly lower rates of Suspected UGI (0.12%) and LGI Cancer Referrals (0.25%) than (UGI 0.22%, LGI 0.37%)(p=0.00001). Population adjusted referral rates ranked NEL, SEL, SWL, NCL, and NWL highest to lowest for suspected UGI cancer referrals and SEL, NEL, SWL, NWL, and NCL highest to lowest for suspected LGI cancer referrrals. London suspected UGI/LGI cancer referrals accounted for 8%/10% of all referrals respectively. Moreover essentially equal levels of deprivation existed in all 5 former SHAs.
CONCLUSION: In summary, marked variation exists in the number of suspected UGI and lower GI cancer referrals amongst the 5 former SHAs in London .

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