Cancer Research UK report half of the population will get cancer during their lifetime

New research has revealed that 50 per cent of the population could develop cancer during their lives according to Cancer Research UK and the British Journal of Cancer.

The statistics, released on World Cancer Day, draw attention to the demand to improve NHS cancer services to cope with the increasing population and the need for faster and more concise diagnosis and treatments. Research into the cause of cancer is crucial to reduce the number and effect of new cases.

Cancer survival rates have doubled during the past 40 years and it is estimated that nearly half of cancer patients survive cancer for 10 or more years after diagnosis and treatment.

Author of the research, Professor Peter Sasieni of Queen Mary University of London, said: “Cancer is primarily a disease of old age, with more than 60 per cent of all cases diagnosed in people aged over 65. If people live long enough then most will get cancer at some point. But there’s a lot we can do to make it less likely – like giving up smoking, being more active, drinking less alcohol and maintaining a healthy weight.

“If we want to reduce the risk of developing the disease we must redouble our efforts and take action now to better prevent the disease for future generations.”

The study revealed that increased life expectancy would cause the number of new cases to rise, particularly in people born after 1960 have a 50 per cent chance of receiving a cancer diagnosis during their lives.

Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “We’re living longer and that means we’re more likely to develop a range of age-related health issues. We need to plan ahead to make sure the NHS is fit to cope. If the NHS doesn’t act and invest now, we will face a crisis in the future – with outcomes from cancer going backwards. “As Simon Stevens set out in the NHS Five Year Forward View, we need better planning and innovative design of services. We also need to ensure the health service is adequately funded if we’re to deal effectively with the growing burden of cancer and offer all patients the best chance of long term survival.

“But NHS investment isn’t the only answer. We need a concerted approach and a broader sense of how we can save lives and money by preventing more cancers. Growing older is the biggest risk factor for most cancers – and it’s something we can’t avoid. But more than four in ten cancers diagnosed each year in the UK could be prevented by changes in lifestyle – that’s something we can all aim for personally so that we can stack the odds in our favour.”

The study comes weeks after The National Audit Office revealed that, due to improvements in NHS cancer care, cancer patients aged 55–64 were 20 per cent more likely to survive cancer for one year after being diagnosed compared to people aged 75–99.

The Government’s chief medical officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies said: “We must set these figures in context of the fact that people are living longer because of better healthcare and medical advances. Cancer survival rates have improved to record levels in this country and we are working to raise awareness of cancer symptoms so it can be diagnosed earlier, improving cancer outcomes. Leading a healthy lifestyle is easily the most effective thing you can do to reduce your risk, this means being active, quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol, and having a balanced diet.”

This latest estimate replaces previous predictions that one third of people will develop cancer during their lives; the reason for changing figures is largely attributed to more people living into old age and therefore having an increased chance of developing cancer as a result.

Mr Kumar added: “Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen cancer survival in the UK double in the last 40 years. In order to accelerate progress and see more people beating the disease, we have to make sure our NHS cancer services and public health initiatives match our research by being among the best in the world.”