SACT data reports
There are a range of reports available and we are looking to expand and improve the information available from the SACT dataset.
If you have any queries about the reports available please contact the SACT team at ndrs.datasets@nhs.net.
30-day post-systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) mortality analysis
Case-mix adjusted 30-day mortality post-SACT analysis: CMAR workbook (2020, 2021 and 2022 releases)
As a follow-up to our 2016 and 2018 30-day mortality post-SACT releases (information below), we have now published several workbooks containing case-mix adjusted 30 day post-SACT mortality rates for a range of cancer sites, using data reported by NHS trusts in England through their monthly routine SACT data uploads. We plan to continue to release similar workbooks covering a range of cancer sites. The workbooks are also available through a new interactive web app on CancerData.
Latest Toolkit:
The toolkit includes background information, guidance, and FAQs.
February 2022 release: The CMAR workbook below reviews patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2020 being treated with SACT for bowel or breast cancer in 2020 or lung cancer in 2019 or 2020.
February 2022 release: The CMAR workbook below reviews patients diagnosed with follicular lymphoma between 2010 and 2018 who were treated with SACT between January 2017 and November 2020. This is an update to the workbook published in September 2021.
May 2021 release: The CMAR workbook below reviews patients diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2010 and 2018 and treated with SACT in 2018 and 2019.
May 2021 release: The CMAR workbook below reviews patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2018 being treated with SACT for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in 2017 to 2019 and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in 2018 and 2019.
May 2021 release: The CMAR workbook below reviews children, teenagers and young adults (CTYA) (aged 0-24) diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) between 2010 and 2018 and treated with SACT in 2017 and 2019.
November 2020 release: The CMAR workbook below reviews patients diagnosed with bowel, breast, myeloma and ovarian cancer between 2010 and 2018 and treated with SACT in 2018 and 2019 (depending on site).
August 2020 release: The workbook below reviews patients diagnosed with lung, gastric, pancreatic cancer, and cancer of unknown primary (CUP) between 2010 and 2017 and treated with SACT in 2017 and 2018 (depending on the site).
Each workbook is sent to the NHS Trusts for review before it is published, which provides them the opportunity to submit a statement to accompany their data. We have included a copy of these statements in the companion brief for each workbook.
30 day mortality rates post-SACT for each cancer site are displayed on funnel plots in the workbooks; data is also provided in tables. Each diamond on the funnel plot represents an NHS trust; those shown above the upper dotted line (+3 standard deviations) are identified as outliers. The companion briefs provide further information on how to review the funnel plot and a summary table of each trust's position.
Previous publications
National study of 30-day mortality following SACT treatment (2016 release)
In 2016 Public Health England (PHE) published a study on 30 day mortality after systemic anti-cancer therapy for breast and lung cancer in England for 2014 using SACT data. The study was published in the Lancet Oncology and was produced in collaboration with Cancer Research UK. We also published a companion report that provided trust level analyses of the data. Please use the links below to access the publications and workbook.
30 day mortality post-systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) workbook (2018 release)
As a follow up to this publication, we worked with our clinical advisors to develop a workbook documenting 30 day mortality rates post-SACT. The workbook contains:
- Annual rates of 30 day mortality post-SACT, 2015 and 2016.
- A broader range of cancers than the original publication
- Crude mortality rates (not risk adjusted)
It was designed as a pilot for a future, routine feed of 30 day mortality rates post-SACT and aims to support clinical practice at NHS trusts. The 2020 and 2021 workbooks were introduced following this piece of work.
This work is based on routine data submitted by hospitals to the SACT dataset. Please note that factors such as differences in patient case mix (which we have not adjusted for), random variation, data ascertainment and quality will all impact on the results. These factors mean that we cannot be certain that a high mortality rate reflects an issue with clinical care. The workbook is not a quality indicator and has been designed to support clinical practice.
As a result we have conducted a “trust notification process” rather than a formal “outlier process” for this report. In the notification process, all trusts received the workbook and were encouraged to review their data. Any results which were above the expected level of variation were highlighted to the appropriate trusts. Trust comments following the notification process are published in the companion briefing.
30 day mortality post SACT 2015-16 workbook
FAQs: 30 day mortality post SACT 2015-16 workbook
Companion brief: 30 day mortality post SACT 2015-16 workbook
Evaluation report: 30 day mortality post SACT 2015-16 workbook
Public Health England’s CancerStats portal
The CancerStats reporting portal gives registered users access to interactive SACT reports.
The portal does not provide identifiable data but it does have detailed local data. To ensure this data is secure it is only available through the NHS N3 network. Users must register on the homepage and have a suitable justification for accessing the data.
The following document provides an overview of all SACT data reports currently on CancerStats and the schedule for data release. This document will be updated with any new developments, please refer to the following link for the latest version.
SACT CancerStats reports and update schedule
We are working to expand the reports available on CancerStats to help providers review and compare their use of SACT and the patients receiving treatment. If you have any suggestions for reports which would be value for the future, please email sact@phe.gov.uk.
Other SACT reports
Cumulative SACT data completeness report
The cumulative data completeness report provides an indication of the completeness of SACT data across a 12 month period. This report provides a simple estimate of the quality and completeness of SACT data nationally and by trust and region. In future these data will be captured by the data completeness report on CancerStats. We will continue to make this report publically available once a year for the most recent 12 month period.
The figures in this report hide certain data quality issues and include treatments that are submitted by trusts alongside SACT data that are outside of the scope of the SACT dataset.
Data Completeness Report: January 2019 to December 2019
Data Completeness Report: April 2018 to March 2019
Data Completeness Report: April 2017 to March 2018
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and tumour resection in England
This report introduces new data on the percentage of tumours diagnosed in England in 2013 to 2014 recorded as receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or tumour resection. It examines differences by cancer site and stage at diagnosis. The report and accompanying data are available from the main National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service website.
Data Resource Profile
Data Resource Profile: The Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) Dataset
This publication in the International Journal of Epidemiology gives a detailed insight into the scope and potential of the SACT dataset. It discusses the dataset structure, data items collected, strengths and weaknesses of the dataset and describes how to access the data.
Outlier Management
The SACT team's approach to the handling of outliers mirrors NCRAS Guidance on Handling Outlier Institutions and has been developed from Department of Health and Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership guidance and experience in dealing with these issues. The approach recognises that flexibility is required to account for different circumstances and therefore provides a set of principles to be followed rather than a detailed procedure to cover every eventuality.
NCRAS co-ordinating team can advise on planning for the handling of outliers and may be able to assist with the management of the process. To access the guidance please visit the NCRAS website.