Major report reveals 48% surge in chances of having cancer in UK

death rates in the UK have fallen by a fifth over the last 50 years, despite cases continuing to rise, a major report reveals. The analysis by Cancer Research UK means people are now 48% more likely to get cancer but less likely to die from it. An ageing population is largely driving the increase, however incidence rates are currently rising fastest in younger people.

The report also found that the proportion of people diagnosed early, when treatment is more likely to be successful, had remained at 54% for half a century. Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said that despite "fantastic" progress there was more to be done.

She added: "Over 460 people die from cancer every single day in the UK, and too many cases are diagnosed at a late stage. If we want to change that, we need bold action from the UK government.

"The upcoming National Cancer Plan for England must improve cancer survival, and transform cancer services. If this plan is done right, it could save countless lives across England and ensure people affected by cancer live longer, better lives."

Three major cancer screening programmes save around 5,000 lives annually. But the analysis found a mixed picture when it comes to uptake.

screening participation has increased thanks to the rollout of of the faecal immunochemical test, but fewer women are coming forward for breast and cervical cancer screening.

Smoking remained the biggest cause of cancer, responsible for around a fifth of all deaths from the disease. And around 5% of cancer deaths were linked to being overweight or .

The report noted that the number of new cancer cases each year in the UK is expected to exceed half a million by 2040.

It added: "Improvements in cancer outcomes will also require a greater shift from treating ill health to prevention - a move that will save lives, reduce pressure on health services and support economic growth."

The report was released to coincide with the final day of the American Society for Clinical Oncology's annual conference.

Speaking at the conference in Chicago, Cancer Research UK's director of research Dr Catherine Elliott said: "Our report shows that more people in the UK are being diagnosed with cancer than ever before, and this trend is set to continue. That's why research to find kinder and more effective treatment is so vital.

"New studies presented at ASCO - the world's largest oncology conference - send a message of hope to people affected by cancer. New drug combinations are boosting survival, blood tests are guiding treatment more accurately, and a landmark trial reveals that .

"All of this exciting progress wouldn't be possible without the funding that fuels discoveries. And as the world around us rapidly changes, we need to harness the power of AI to transform how we prevent, detect, and treat cancer.

"Continued investment in research, alongside access to high-quality data, is essential to help people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer."