Women with breast cancer twice as likely to die in Sherwood than other parts of the county

The report also revealed that the East Midlands is falling short of two-week wait target, with more than 10 percent of patients waiting longer than two weeks to see a specialist.

The report revealed that patients treated under the Newark & Sherwood CCG are more likely to die from breast cancer.

With 31.9 patients per 100,000 passing away before the age of 75 because of the form of cancer.

This rate is twice as high as the results from Harwick CCG, which has one of the lowest mortality rates in the country.

Harwick CCG covers South Normanton, Bolsover and Clay Cross where 15.4 patients per 100,000 pass away from breast cancer.

Experts have been calling the difference in mortality rates across the country a 'postcode lottery.'

The average mortality rate for England as a whole was 19.8 people per 100,000 of the population dying before the age of 75 as a result of breast cancer.

Thangam Debonnaire MP, Craig Tracey MP and Dr Philippa Whitford MP, co-chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer, said: “Our report highlights a concerning postcode lottery in the diagnosis, treatment and care of women with breast cancer in different parts of the country.

“The current shortages in the breast cancer workforce in the East Midlands, and missed waiting time targets for patients, are incredibly alarming and must be urgently addressed. The number of women being diagnosed with breast cancer is steadily increasing and it’s vital that local NHS services are fully resourced to meet this rising demand.

“That said, it’s fantastic that the East Midlands is the best in the country for breast screening attendance. Routine screening prevents deaths from breast cancer and we need to do more to encourage more women across the country to attend.

“Our inquiry shows the urgent need for the NHS to ensure the worst-performing areas are brought in line with the best, where local innovation is already driving real progress. We call on NHS England and Public Health England to work with the Cancer Alliances in the East Midlands to ensure all cancer patients receive the best possible care.”

Women in East Midlands are most likely to attend routine mammograms although the report revealed that almost a third of mammography posts vacant.

Newark & Sherwood CCG has said it encourages women to attend their breast screening appointments and has seen an increase in woman being screened.

A CCG spokeswoman also said when GPs suspect breast cancer they refer to the hospital and patients are seen within two weeks. The spokeswoman said: “We are consistently above the national standard for the two- week waits.”

Dr Thilan Bartholomeuz, Newark and Sherwood CCG cancer lead and clinical chairman, said: “ We have an excellent cancer team that work with the hospital and GPs providing education and support. We also work closely with Macmillan and public health to increase public awareness.

“I encourage any person who feels they have signs or symptoms of breast cancer to contact their GP without delay.”

Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now, which supported the inquiry, said: “While overall, more women are surviving the disease than ever before, this crucial report highlights geographical variation in NHS breast cancer services on a worrying scale.

“With patients and healthcare professionals alike already feeling the impact of the workforce shortages in the East Midlands, this alarming report must now act as a wake-up call. All women with breast cancer deserve the best possible chance of surviving and living well, no matter where they live, their age or the colour of their skin.

“This report shows too many women are missing out on the best breast cancer care this country has to offer. We need immediate action from NHS England and Public Health England to ensure all women in the East Midlands and across the country receive fair access to the care, treatment and support they need.”