Independent analysis finds no evidence of higher than expected cancer rates among children and young adults in Corby
29 October 2026
North Northamptonshire Council has today published the findings of an expanded independent analysis of cancer registrations among children and young adults living in the Corby area.
This analysis found no clear evidence that cancer rates among children and young adults living within 5km of Deene Quarry were different from those seen in the rest of Corby, Northamptonshire, the East Midlands or England.
This expanded study was commissioned following requests from local residents for further investigation into cancer rates in Corby. It builds on a previous report published in January 2026 by considering a wider age range and a longer time period.
This study examined cancer registrations among children and young adults aged 0 to 24 years that occurred between 2001 and 2023, while the previous report considered registrations among people aged 0 to 19 years that occurred between 2013 and 2022. It was undertaken by the National Disease Registration Service (NDRS), which has nationally recognised expertise in the collection and analysis of cancer data in England.
This analysis used two different measures to compare the cancer rate in children and young people living in the Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) within 5km of the former quarry site with cancer rates in children and young people living in the rest of Corby, Northamptonshire, the East Midlands and England. The report describes that none of the findings reached statistical significance, meaning there is no clear evidence that the rate of cancer in children and young people in this area is higher or lower than expected.
The previous analysis found a slightly lower rate of cancer in children and young people in the area near Deene Quarry compared with other areas, while this expanded analysis found a slightly higher rate. However, none of these findings were statistically significant, meaning that the differences observed are likely to reflect natural variation rather than a genuine difference in cancer rates.
The results of the previous and expanded analyses cannot be directly compared because they cover different age groups and time periods. This report describes that despite the expanded age range and longer time period being considered, the number of cases is still relatively small. Analysis based on small numbers can be more affected by random variation and should be interpreted with caution.
We recognise that concerns about cancer rates in this area have been deeply felt by some residents, and it is important that those concerns are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.Dr Jane Bethea, Director of Public Health for North Northamptonshire
This latest analysis, carried out independently by the National Disease Registration Service, builds on the work published earlier this year by examining a wider age range and more than two decades of data.
The findings are broadly consistent with the conclusions of the previous report. Analysis of the best available data about cancer diagnoses in our population has found that there is no clear evidence that the rate of cancer in children and young people living within 5km of Deene Quarry is higher or lower than would be expected based on rates seen elsewhere in Corby, Northamptonshire, the East Midlands or England.
This independent assessment provides the most comprehensive analysis available for this population and time period.
We asked for this further analysis after residents sought additional reassurance and requested that a broader range of data be considered.Cllr Martin Griffiths, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council
As a council, we have been committed to ensuring that residents’ questions are heard and that independent expert advice is obtained wherever possible.
We recognise that a cancer diagnosis, particularly involving a child or young person, is deeply distressing for families, and that concerns about why it happened are entirely understandable. These experiences are very real and important, which is why it is vital that they are carefully considered alongside robust population-level evidence.
This expanded study has looked at a larger population, over a much longer time period. It found no clear evidence that cancer rates among children and young adults living within the study area are different from those experienced elsewhere.
I would like to thank the residents who raised these concerns, and the National Disease Registration Service for carrying out this detailed and independent analysis.