Analyses of childhood cancers in Corby
We have published the findings of two detailed and independent analyses into childhood cancer rates in Corby.
The work was completed in response to concerns raised by local families, who feared that more children in the area were being diagnosed with cancer than expected.
The findings were independently reviewed by experts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the analysis of HES data was validated by analysts within the NHS to ensure accuracy
Overview report
Council analysis
One of the analyses was carried out by the council’s analysts using Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) and the other completed independently by the National Disease Registration Service.
Concerns from residents centred on whether historic industrial activity, including the former steelworks and waste disposal at Deene Quarry, could be linked to cancer rates among local children.
The Director of Public Health (DPH) has a duty to investigate any potential risks to the health of the population and therefore requested a full analysis using NHS data available to the council through an established data sharing agreement.
NDRS analysis
Alongside our own work, analysts from the National Disease Registration Service were asked to undertake a separate analysis of cancer registration data (considered the most complete and accurate dataset available), including a specific assessment of the area within 5km of Deene Quarry.
Conclusions
The analyses concluded:
- childhood cancer rates in Corby are not higher than in Northamptonshire, the East Midlands or England
- no Corby neighbourhoods (broken down into what are called lower super output areas) had significantly higher rates than the North Northamptonshire average
Last updated 30 January 2026