Large fall in premature deaths from cancer

NEW research shows a drastic drop in premature deaths from cancer since 1993.

The study by Cancer Research UK, which is published in the British Medical Journal, was undertaken with help from University of Leeds, University College London and Public Health Scotland. It evaluated trends in cancer incidence and mortality in people aged 35-69 years in the UK between 1993 and 2018.

Overall mortality rates for 23 types of cancer had dropped by 37 per cent in men and 33 per cent in women. The study’s authors put this down to improvements in the UK’s smoke-free policies, prevention measures, early detection including screening, and more effective treatment.

Over the course of the study’s focus, cervical cancer mortality rates had decreased by 54.3 per cent, thanks in large part to vaccinations against HPV and increased cervical screening.

The study also revealed that lung cancer mortality rates decreased by 53.2 per cent in men and by 20.7 per cent in women, due to reduced smoking rates. Deaths have also dropped in breast, bowel and cervical cancers, showing how screening programmes help to save lives by diagnosing cancer earlier.

The charity warns while this progress is to be welcomed, cancer cases are increasing overall, largely due to a growing population. Over the 25-year period, the number of cancer incidents in men rose by 57 per cent, and by 48 per cent in women. This is expected to create a higher burden on healthcare services.

Cancer Research UK’s head of cancer intelligence and lead author of the study, Jon Shelton, said: “This study helps us to see the progress we’ve made in beating cancer and where challenges clearly remain. With cancer cases on the rise and improvements in survival slowing, it’s vital that the UK Government takes bold action to keep momentum up.”