Death rates for the four biggest cancer killers have fallen dramatically in the last two decades, according to an analysis published today.
Improved screening and public health campaigns have helped cut the number of people contracting diseases – while in most cases treatments have improved too, according to Cancer Research UK.
In one instance, lung cancer, treatments have not improved significantly but the numbers of men developing the disease have slumped along with smoking rates.
As a result death rates from lung cancer have fallen by 27%.
The biggest improvement has been in breast cancer – with a reduction in the death rate of 38%. The death rate from prostate cancer has fallen by 21% while that from bowel cancer has fallen by 34%.
The analysis shows rising death rates during the last two decades from melanoma together with cancers of the liver, pancreas and mouth and some digestive system cancers – mainly as a result of rising rates of disease.
The charity’s chief executive Harpal Kumar said: "While the death rate for the four biggest cancer killers falls, it’s vital to remember that more needs to be done to help bring even better results over the coming years.
“There are over 200 different forms of the disease. For some of these, the advances are less impressive, such as pancreatic, oesophageal and liver cancer. Far too many lives continue to be affected by the disease."
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