HAMPSHIRE has been named as one of the best areas in Britain for lifesaving cancer treatment, it has been revealed.

Figures show the county is one of the top areas in England and Wales for a swift diagnosis and treatment and for patient satisfaction.

Now health chiefs are urging patients to ensure they are best placed to battle the disease by contacting their GPs as soon as they spot symptoms and to regularly sign up to screening sessions when they are available.

New research released by NHS England shows that 87.8 per cent of around 15,000 people diagnosed with the disease in the West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area received their first treatment within 62 days of their first urgent GP referral.

The figures show one year survival rates in the area are 73 per cent – above the national average of 68.8 per cent.

Meanwhile, a survey found that almost 90 per cent (87.8 per cent) of 860 patients in the area rated their cancer treatment highly.

This means that patients in the area are living in one of the top parts of the country for cancer treatment out of 209 CCG areas in the country.

The study reveals that over half the patients with cancer are diagnosed at an early stage, which means they have a better chance of making a full recovery.

West Hampshire is one of the biggest CCGs in the area, covering a population of over half a million people from Lymington to Andover and covering the areas surrounding Lyndhurst, Winchester, Romsey and Eastleigh.

Now CCG bosses are urging anyone who spots signs of cancer to visit their GP immediately and to sign up for cancer screenings that save thousands of lives every year.

CCG chairwoman, Dr Sarah Schofield, who is a local GP, said: “These figures confirm that our CCG is one of the national leaders for treating and diagnosing cancer, and patients tell us how much they value the services they receive from the NHS.

"We believe that one in three people may develop one form of cancer at some point in their lives, so it’s important we do everything we can to treat this condition quickly.

“There is more that we need to do, particularly around diagnosing cancer as early as possible.

"There is a lot of information available today, more than ever before, online and in our GP practices on knowing the signs of cancer.

"Please make sure you take a look.

"Please also take up the opportunity for a cancer screening when it is made available to you and please always see your GP if you think you are showing the signs of a cancer condition.”

“Although we are doing well we want to do even better to ensure every worried patient is seen, assessed and treated when appropriate, in line with the very best clinical practice.”

She thanked her staff for their dedication, adding: “Our excellent staff support people with their cancer treatment, and who help to make sure our patients receive a high quality service from their local NHS.”