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The number of people dying from three of the most common cancers has fallen to its lowest level in almost 40 years, new analysis showed today.
The UK death rates from breast, bowel, and male lung cancer are at their lowest since 1971.
Breast cancer deaths among women peaked in 1989 at 15,625 but dropped 36 per cent to 11,990 in 2007, according to Cancer Research UK.
Bowel cancer deaths peaked in 1992 at 19,598, but fell 31 per cent in 2007. The number of men dying from lung cancer in 1979 was 30,391 but dropped 53 per cent to 19,637 in 2007.
The number of people developing cancer is on the rise as people live longer than before. But fewer people are dying from the disease partly due to improved screening and new and better treatments.
Deaths from lung cancer have also been falling as people give up smoking. Cancer Research is launching a national TV advertising campaign to raise money and increase awareness.
Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research, said: “Survival rates have doubled in the last 30 years and the work of Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of that progress.”
The Government's national cancer director, Professor Mike Richards, said: “This demonstrates the excellent progress the NHS is making in improving survival for people with cancer.”
Reader views (1)
Encouraging results but we are a long way from erradicating Big C from our society.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 10/07/2009 13:08
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