Variations in cancer diagnosis rates between the best and worst performing health groups in the NHS mean many patients face lower survival rates and higher treatment costs.
The effects of late diagnosis were examined in the report for Cancer research UK comparing different clinical commissioning groups, cancer types and different treatment costs for the different stages of cancer.
The report was produced by Incisive Health (no connection to Incisive Media, which produces Cover) for Cancer Research UK and released today.
Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said: "This report shows yet again why we must do more to ensure patients begin treatment as early as possible, so that we improve cancer survival in this country."
If all clinical commissioning groups could achieve the same levels of early diagnosis as the best the savings would benefit nearly 11,100 patients for the four cancers studied in detail by the report, colon, rectal, ovarian and lung cancer.
It would also save the NHS over £44 million, 5% of the total budget for treating such cancers. For lung cancer alone this would mean an extra 4,275 years of life for patients.
The four cancers between them consist of 21% of overall diagnoses in England, if the results of earlier diagnosis were similar across the rest of the UK over 52,000 people would receive an earlier diagnosis and save the NHS £210million.
The cost of treating cancers rises significantly the further they have progressed, for lung cancer stage 1 treatment, at the least severe stage costs £7,952 per patient compared to a stage 4, the most advanced, cost of £13,078.
Currently non-small cell lung cancer is diagnosed at stage 4 in 55% of cases. For ovarian cancer stage one treatment costs £5,328 compared to a cost at stage 4 of £15,081, with 38% diagnosed at stage one.
Sara Hiom, director of early diagnosis at Cancer Research UK, said: "Diagnosing cancer at its earliest stages is crucial to give patients the best chance of survival. There are a number of reasons why cancer may be diagnosed at an advanced stage. For some cancers, such as pancreatic, symptoms are often only noticeable once the tumour has already started to spread. But for many others there are chances for the cancer to be picked up earlier.
"It's vital that people are aware of their body and if they notice anything unusual for them they should visit their GP. And GPs play a critical role of course, knowing when symptoms need to be investigated and referring patients promptly for tests."
