Cancer rates are increasing at such a rate that research shows
42% of people who die in this country will have had a cancer diagnosis.
And for most of them (64%), it is cancer which causes their death.*
Released on: July 15, 2011, 1:37 pm
Author:
Macmillan Cancer Support
Industry:
Non Profit
Cancer rates are increasing at such a rate that research shows
42% of people who die in this country will have had a cancer diagnosis.
And for most of them (64%), it is cancer which causes their death.*
The number of people living with cancer has also increased in the UK by 35% in the last ten years from 1.5 to two million in 2008**. This is due to more people getting cancer and, as treatment improves, people are surviving longer with cancer.
But whilst people are certainly living longer than ever with cancer, they are not necessarily living well.
New data from a Macmillan Cancer Supportstudyshows many have on-going, long term health problems.
The study shows that of those colorectal cancer patients still alive between five
and seven years after their diagnosis***:
- Two thirds (64%) will have an on-going health problem.
- A fifth (22%) will have advanced cancers ****.
- Going on half (42%) will be living with on-going health problems like cardio
vascular and intestinal illnesses
Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support said: "It is really alarming that the number of people who will get cancer is now well past one in three and that there are so many more people with cancer today than even ten years ago. The NHS really needs to recognise this long term impact and adapt their services to reflect this.
"There are currently two million people living with cancer in the UK and that number is doubling to four million over the next twenty years*****. Yet no one thinks the country can afford to double its spending on cancer. We’ve therefore got to become twice as effective in how we spend that money.
"We have a massive challenge ahead if we are to keep up with the relentless toll cancer takes on people's health, and the NHS must rise to it."
Notes to Editors:
* Macmillan estimate based on Maddams J, et al. Cancer prevalence in the United
Kingdom: estimates for 2008. British Journal of Cancer. 2009. 101: 541-547; Office
for National Statistics; Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland; General
Register Office for Scotland; Welsh Cancer Intelligence & Surveillance Unit;
Northern Ireland Cancer Registry; Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
** Macmillan estimate based on extrapolation of prevalence data from 1992 and 2008.
Forman D, et al. Cancer prevalence in the UK: results from the EUROPREVAL Study.
Annals of Oncology. 2003. 14: 648–654; Maddams J, et al. Cancer prevalence in the
United Kingdom: estimates for 2008. British Journal of Cancer. 2009. 101: 541-547.
(Estimate assumes any increase is consistent across each nation in the UK and
remains unchanged over the period)
*** Wells J., et al. Using clinical attendance patterns to determine likely
survivorship journey in England. NCIN Conference 2011. Data analysis is provisional
and subject to clinical validation. Data are for patients in England with a
diagnosis of colorectal cancer in quarter 2 2001, followed up to the end of 2007. A
sample of nearly 6,000 people were taken from the National Cancer Data Repository
(NCDR).
**** These data relate to health problems as identified by NHS inpatient hospital
activity. Through the NCDR patients' registry data are linked to NHS inpatient
hospital activity data to ascertain if patients are admitted to hospital and for
what condition. Data analysis is provisional and subject to clinical validation.
***** Macmillan estimate taken from and based on Maddams J, et al. Cancer prevalence
in the United Kingdom: estimates for 2008. British Journal of Cancer. 2009. 101:
541-547
About Macmillan Cancer Support:
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing
practical, medical, emotional and financial cancer support as well as cancer
information
on breast cancer, skin cancer and all other forms of the disease. Please visit Macmillan Cancer Support for
further details.
PR Contact:
Andrea Shufflebotham
PR & Media Officer
Macmillan Cancer Support
89 Albert Embankment
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SE1 7UQ
020 7840 4689
www.macmillan.org.uk