Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33419907›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2021

Treatable but not curable cancer in England: a retrospective cohort study using cancer registry data and linked data sets.

Rachel White, Fintan Stanley, Jen Than, Archie Macnair, Joanna Pethick, Gregory Fallica, Luke Hounsome, Jane Maher

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
18citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

18 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Needs and health-related quality of life domains relevant to people in Europe with advanced cancer in need of palliative care: a systematic review of qualitative research.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2026
    Pooled it
  2. Survivorship care for people affected by advanced or metastatic cancer: MASCC-ASCO standards and practice recommendations.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024
    Pooled it
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Review
  7. Article
  8. Review
  9. Review
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. "Who can I ring? Where can I go?" Living with advanced cancer whilst navigating the health system: a qualitative study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022
    Article
  17. Article
  18. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Rachel WhiteMacmillan Cancer Support, London, UK rwhite@macmillan.org.uk.
Fintan StanleyMacmillan Cancer Support, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-6740-3280
Jen ThanMacmillan Cancer Support, London, UK.
Archie MacnairMacmillan Cancer Support, London, UK.
Joanna PethickNational Disease Registration Serivce, Public Health England, London, UK.
Gregory FallicaMacmillan Cancer Support, London, UK.
Luke HounsomeNational Disease Registration Serivce, Public Health England, London, UK.
Jane MaherMacmillan Cancer Support, London, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThis study estimates the prevalence of cancers that are categorised as treatable but not curable (TbnC) in England. It provides a quantification of the population and a framework to aid identification of this group to enable the design of tailored support services.

designThrough consultation with clinical and data experts an algorithmic definition of TbnC was developed. Using cancer registry data sets, with five other linked data sets held by the National Disease Registration Service, the algorithm was applied as part of this retrospective cohort study to estimate the size and characteristics of the TbnC population. SETTING AND

participantsThe health data records of 1.6 million people living with cancer in England in 2015, following a cancer diagnosis between 2001 and 2015, were retrospectively assessed for TbnC status.

resultsAn estimated 110 615 people in England were living with TbnC cancer at the end of 2015, following identification of TbnC cancer between 2012 and 2015. In addition, 51 946 people fit the initial search criteria but were found to have been in their last year of life at the end of 2015 and therefore considered separately here as end of life cases. A further 57 117 people in England were initially identified as being at high risk of recurrence or having their life being shortened by cancer but did not fit the TbnC conceptual framework and were excluded, but their results are also reported under 'group B'.

conclusionsA population living with TbnC cancer can be identified using data currently collected on a national scale in England. This large population living with TbnC cancer requires personalised treatment and support.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsSemantic WebEnglandHumansRegistriesRetrospective Studieshealth policyoncologypublic health

Identifiers

PMID33419907
PMCPMC7798682

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.