Dementia kills one in eight Britons
DEMENTIA continues to be the country’s leading cause of death, claiming almost twice as many lives of women than men, figures show.
The incurable condition, of which Alzheimer’s is the most common form, accounted for 62,948 deaths – 12 per cent of all fatalities in England and Wales last year.
Analysis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows the debilitating brain disease killed 41,747 women and 21,201 men in 2016.
Heart disease remains the second highest cause of death with 11 per cent. However, when all forms of cancer are grouped together, they account for 28.5 per cent of deaths. Lung cancer is the most common form.
Dementia, topping the list for the second-year running, is caused by changes in nerve cells in the brain, leading to cognitive decline.
Devastating
Telltale symptoms include memory loss, confused thinking and difficulties with speech and problem-solving.
Better diagnosis and an ageing population are blamed for the rise in recorded dementia deaths, with experts saying the condition remains one of the greatest health crises of our time.
Dr Matthew Norton, director of policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “The frightening figures further reinforce that dementia is one of society’s most burning injustices and defeating it must be a priority.
“As well as being a leading cause of death, research has also shown that dementia is one of the key reasons for life-expectancy increases slowing.”
He described the devastating impact of the condition on both sufferers and their families. But he said the outlook could be changed with research.
Nicola O’Brien, Alzheimer’s Society head of policy, added: “It’s a further wake-up call that the UK is woefully under-prepared to cope with the scale of the challenge.”
Overall, 525,048 deaths were registered in 2016. ONS figures show that dementia and Alzheimer’s are the leading cause of female deaths, accounting for 15.6 per cent, while heart disease claims 13.7 per cent of male deaths.
Across the UK there are now 850,000 people living with dementia, with forecasts showing that by 2050 two million people will be living with the condition.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of death for both men and women aged 80 and over.
Separate figures published yesterday show that in August just 82.6 per cent of NHS patients in England started cancer treatment within two months of being urgently referred by their GP against a target of 85 per cent.
So far this year more than 18,000 people have waited more than two months, including about 7,000 who have waited for more than three months. The 62-day target has been missed for 20 months in a row.
Moira Fraser, of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “It is disappointing to see targets for patients starting cancer treatment have not been met again.
“When you’re urgently referred by your GP with suspected cancer, you want to know that you’re moving through the health system as quickly as possible.
“Waiting for treatment to start is often an incredibly unsettling and difficult time for patients.”