More cancers today but much better survival rates - UK

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 04 Feb 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Scientists say that more people are being cured of cancer today thanks to better diagnosis and treatment (in the UK).

Death rates have gone down by 12%.

Compared to 30 years ago there are more cases of cancer today. This is partly due to an ageing population.

Even when the ageing population and more cancer cases are taken into account, Cancer Research UK says that death rates have fallen by 12% (since 1970).

Cancer Research UK said that with more research (which is needed) death rates can fall even more.

Since 1970 death rates have fallen by 18% for men and 6% for women.

Some cancer cases have fallen in numbers, such as cervical cancer. This is because more women are being regularly screened.

In others, such as Hodgkin's disease, breast and testicular cancers, the number of people affected by the disease has either remained the same or even increased, but death rates have fallen because of improvements in diagnosis and treatments.

Lung Cancer

Cases of men with lung cancer have fallen by 47% (since 1970). However, cases of women with lung cancer have increased by 55%. More men are giving up smoking (while more women have taken it up).

Death rates have also increased in oesophageal and prostate cancers since 1970.

Experts say there are still 400 people dying every day from all types of cancer in the UK, so research into ways to prevent and treat the disease needs to continue.