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Published on 15th March 2024
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UK cancer study shows a decline in middle-aged cancer deaths

New research suggests successes in earlier detection, cancer prevention, improved diagnostic tests, and more effective treatment has meant fewer people aged 35 to 69 are dying from cancer.   

A new study published in the British Medical Journal, examined UK trends between cancer incidence and cancer mortality in adults aged 35 – 69 years between 1993 to 2018.  

The Cancer Research UK funded study showed that the number of cancer deaths decreased over a 25-year period, by 37% in men and 33% in women.  

According to researchers, who examined 23 common cancer types in the study, the death rate among women from cervical cancer fell by 54.3%. Cancer Research UK shared that cervical screening “has helped to prevent cancer and stop it in its tracks”, with further impact set to be made by the HPV vaccination. 

Similarly, lung mortality rates decreased in men by 53.2% and by 20.7% in women, likely from primary prevention (historical reduction in smoking rates).   

Mortality rates for breast and bowel cancers has also fallen, probably as screening programmes support earlier detection and treatment. 

The largest decreases in mortality were noted for stomach, mesothelioma, and bladder cancer in men and stomach, cervical cancers and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in women. 

However, cancer diagnosis in middle-aged people were found to have risen by 57% in men and 48% in women. This increase in incidence was predominately driven by increases in prostate and breast cancers. 

Trends in less common cancers showed increases in incidence rate in melanoma skin, liver, oral, and kidney cancers. Death rates for liver, oral and uterine cancers were also increasing.  

Jon Shelton, the lead author of the study and head of cancer intelligence at Cancer Research UK, said: We must continue to prevent as many cancer cases as possible, diagnose cancers sooner and develop kinder treatments.” 

Steve Russell, the director of vaccination and screening at NHS England, said: “It is great to see this report bear witness to the significant improvements we have seen in cancer survival.” 

“The NHS is determined to build on these improvements, so we are working hard to achieve our ambitions of seeing 55,000 more people each year surviving their cancer for five years or longer by 2028 and three-quarters of people with cancer being diagnosed at an early stage by 2028.” 

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