Rense: UK Cancer Cases Now At All Time High

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UK Cancer Cases Now 'At All-Time High'

BBC News

1-9-4

 

 

More people than ever before are being diagnosed with cancer in the

UK.

 

The latest figures reveal that over 270,000 people were told they

had cancer in 2000 - up 3,000 on the previous year.

 

Cases of skin, uterine and prostate cancer have increased sharply

while the numbers being diagnosed with stomach and cervical cancer

are down.

 

Experts say the rise in cancer cases is down to the fact that

Britons are living longer.

 

The figures have been compiled by the UK Association of Cancer

Registries, which register all cancer cases in this country.

 

Sharp increases

 

They show that drops in some cancers have been offset by sharp

increase in others.

 

For instance, the number of cases of malignant melanoma jumped to

7,000, up 16% in one year.

 

There were 1,000 more cases of uterine cancer compared to 1999 - an

8% increase bringing the total up to 5,600.

 

The number of people being told they have prostate cancer has

increased by 25% over the last five years to 27,200.

 

However, doctors say this rise is down to the fact that they are now

picking up cases that would have gone unnoticed a few years ago.

 

Similarly, a 17% increase in non Hodgkin's lymphoma is attributed to

more sensitive tests.

 

But the figures also contain some good news showing that progress is

being made against other types of cancer.

 

Improved hygiene is helping to cut the incidence of stomach cancer.

 

Screening for cervical cancer has enabled doctors to pick up and

treat more women before they develop symptoms.

 

There were 2,991 cases of the disease in 2000 - down 13% in five

years.

 

Efforts to encourage people to stop smoking are also paying

dividends.

 

Cases of smoking-related cancers are continuing to fall in men. In

Scotland, lung cancer in men is down 15% compared to five years ago.

 

Helpful statistics

 

Professor David Forman, chairman of the UK Association of Cancer

Registries, said the statistics will help the fight against cancer.

 

" Keeping track of cancer trends is vital for research on the causes

of cancer and to help focus prevention strategies and treatment

resources.

 

" Cancer mainly affects older people and as our population ages, we

are inevitably seeing more cases.

 

" But it's important to pick out cancers where rates are increasing

faster than we'd expect from changes in demographics, so we can gain

clues about causes. "

 

Professor Robert Souhami, director of clinical and external affairs

at Cancer Research UK, said the figures show progress is being made

against some cancers.

 

" The figures highlight the impact that cancer prevention strategies

can make. "

 

But he added: " It's worrying to see that melanoma rates are

continuing to rise unabated and we really need to hammer home the

sun protection message.

 

" It will also be important to understand the reasons for the

increase in cancer of the uterus. It may be related to rising rates

of obesity, which are pushing up the rates of a number of cancers in

both women and men. "

 

Dame Gill Oliver, of Macmillan Cancer Relief, said: " We would urge

people to protect themselves when in the sun, as well as taking

regular exercise, eating a balanced diet and adopting a healthy

lifestyle.

 

" However, on a positive note, cancer treatment and care is getting

better and people are living longer with the disease. "

 

Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer,

said: " We are encouraged by the decrease in both lung and cervical

cancer where prevention strategies are really beginning to pay off.

 

" However, we are deeply concerned about the continuing rise in

breast cancer over the last five years.

 

" The most common cancer in the UK, we still know very little about

the disease and its causes.

 

" Greater funding for research is vital if we are to pinpoint the

causes of this devastating disease and allow us to work out ways to

prevent it. "

 

Cancer statistics Malignant melanoma is up 24% Uterine cancer is up

22% Breast cancer is up 12% Prostate cancer is up 25% Non-Hodgkins

lymphoma is up 17% Cervical cancer down 13% Source: UK Association

of Cancer Registries Figures compare 2000 with 1995

 

© BBC MMIV

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3373447.stm