Latest news with #survivalRates
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Cancer deaths drop by a fifth in 50 years – but cases are on the rise
Cancer death rates in the UK have seen a significant decline of over 20 per cent since the early 1970s, a new analysis reveals. According to a report by Cancer Research UK, while cancer diagnoses are on the rise, the likelihood of dying from the disease has decreased. The cancer death rate has fallen by approximately 22 per cent since 1973, dropping from 328 per 100,000 people to around 252 per 100,000 in 2023. This improvement is largely due to advancements in diagnosis and treatment, along with successful efforts to reduce smoking rates. However, the report also indicates that cancer diagnoses have increased by almost half (47 per cent) across Great Britain during the same period. The rate has risen from approximately 413 cases per 100,000 people to around 607 cases per 100,000 people. The study noted that "survival for all cancers combined in England and Wales has doubled since the early 1970s, but progress has slowed over the last 10 years and remains lower than other comparable countries," also stating that "survival increased three to five times faster in previous decades, compared with the improvement since 2010." Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said the findings show 'it is a time of both optimism and realism,' adding that it is also 'a golden age for cancer research.' The group's report cautions that, despite improvements in overall survival rates, the number of people being diagnosed with cancer has significantly increased compared to 50 years ago. Researchers identified smoking as the leading preventable cause of cancer, with obesity linked to 13 different types of the disease. Other risks include not using sunscreen or failing to cover up in the sun, sunbeds, alcohol, lack of exercise and diets high in processed meat. The report pointed out that around half of all new cancer diagnoses are in people aged 70 and over, but incidence rates are currently rising fastest in younger people. It said: 'In the UK, cancer incidence rates have increased by 23 per cent in people aged 20 to 49 since the early 1990s. 'However, population growth is concentrated in older age groups, so in terms of patient numbers, the biggest increase in cancer cases has been in older people.' The study also found that, on average, just over half of cancers are diagnosed at an early stage in England (54 per cent), and this proportion has not changed for almost a decade. Ms Mitchell said: 'It's fantastic to see that thanks to research, cancer death rates have drastically reduced over the last 50 years, and survival has doubled. 'However, there's more that can be done. This report highlights that 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.' Cancer Research UK is calling for commitments such as the national rollout of a targeted lung cancer screening programme, quicker access to diagnostic tests for all patients, better access to GPs for speedy diagnosis and action to improve cancer waiting times. Its new study is the first ever to include 50 years of cancer death and incidence data for the UK. Elsewhere, MPs and members of the House of Lords have urged the Government to prioritise faster diagnosis of less survivable cancers, which are those that develop in the brain, pancreas, liver, lung, oesophagus and stomach. A new report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Less Survivable Cancers claims these cancers claim 67,000 lives a year, around 42 per cent of cancer deaths. Doubling diagnoses rates in these areas could save an additional 7,500 lives a year, it said. Paulette Hamilton, chairwoman of the APPG on Less Survivable Cancers, said this is a 'crucial moment for transforming patient outcomes and accelerating survival rates for the less survivable cancers'. 'We're on the brink of research breakthroughs and in the midst of developing potentially game-changing Government health reforms,' she added. 'In this backdrop, achieving faster diagnosis for these devastating cancers is finally within reach.' Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: 'The NHS is seeing and treating record numbers of people for cancer, with more people diagnosed at an earlier stage than ever before, and survival rates in England at an all-time high. 'We have developed world-leading programmes, including lung cancer screening in convenient locations such as car parks and using AI to spot skin cancer, making it easier than ever before to get checked. 'The latest data shows that more than three quarters of people received the all-clear or a definitive cancer diagnosis within four weeks of an NHS urgent cancer referral.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Cancer research in ‘golden age' as death rates drop – but cases are on the rise
A new analysis has revealed that cancer death rates in the UK have fallen by more than a fifth since the early 1970s, however diagnoses are also on the rise. A report by Cancer Research UK indicates that although individuals are more likely to develop cancer compared to previous decades, they are less likely to die from it. The data shows that the cancer death rate has decreased by approximately 22 per cent since the early 1970s, falling from 328 per 100,000 people in 1973 to around 252 per 100,000 in 2023. This decline is attributed to advancements in diagnosis and treatment, as well as initiatives to reduce smoking. However, the rate of cancer diagnoses has increased by almost half (47 per cent) across Great Britain during the same period, rising from approximately 413 cases per 100,000 people to around 607 cases per 100,000 people. The study noted that "survival for all cancers combined in England and Wales has doubled since the early 1970s, but progress has slowed over the last 10 years and remains lower than other comparable countries," also stating that "survival increased three to five times faster in previous decades, compared with the improvement since 2010." Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said the findings show 'it is a time of both optimism and realism,' adding that it is also 'a golden age for cancer research.' The group's report cautions that, despite improvements in overall survival rates, the number of people being diagnosed with cancer has significantly increased compared to 50 years ago. Researchers identified smoking as the leading preventable cause of cancer, with obesity linked to 13 different types of the disease. Other risks include not using sunscreen or failing to cover up in the sun, sunbeds, alcohol, lack of exercise and diets high in processed meat. The report pointed out that around half of all new cancer diagnoses are in people aged 70 and over, but incidence rates are currently rising fastest in younger people. It said: 'In the UK, cancer incidence rates have increased by 23 per cent in people aged 20 to 49 since the early 1990s. 'However, population growth is concentrated in older age groups, so in terms of patient numbers, the biggest increase in cancer cases has been in older people.' The study also found that, on average, just over half of cancers are diagnosed at an early stage in England (54 per cent), and this proportion has not changed for almost a decade. Ms Mitchell said: 'It's fantastic to see that thanks to research, cancer death rates have drastically reduced over the last 50 years, and survival has doubled. 'However, there's more that can be done. This report highlights that 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.' Cancer Research UK is calling for commitments such as the national rollout of a targeted lung cancer screening programme, quicker access to diagnostic tests for all patients, better access to GPs for speedy diagnosis and action to improve cancer waiting times. Its new study is the first ever to include 50 years of cancer death and incidence data for the UK. Elsewhere, MPs and members of the House of Lords have urged the Government to prioritise faster diagnosis of less survivable cancers, which are those that develop in the brain, pancreas, liver, lung, oesophagus and stomach. A new report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Less Survivable Cancers claims these cancers claim 67,000 lives a year, around 42 per cent of cancer deaths. Doubling diagnoses rates in these areas could save an additional 7,500 lives a year, it said. Paulette Hamilton, chairwoman of the APPG on Less Survivable Cancers, said this is a 'crucial moment for transforming patient outcomes and accelerating survival rates for the less survivable cancers'. 'We're on the brink of research breakthroughs and in the midst of developing potentially game-changing Government health reforms,' she added. 'In this backdrop, achieving faster diagnosis for these devastating cancers is finally within reach.' Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: 'The NHS is seeing and treating record numbers of people for cancer, with more people diagnosed at an earlier stage than ever before, and survival rates in England at an all-time high. 'We have developed world-leading programmes, including lung cancer screening in convenient locations such as car parks and using AI to spot skin cancer, making it easier than ever before to get checked. 'The latest data shows that more than three quarters of people received the all-clear or a definitive cancer diagnosis within four weeks of an NHS urgent cancer referral.'
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Colon cancer survival rates improved with exercise, first-of-its-kind study finds
Colon cancer patients saw improved survival rates after a 3-year exercise program, according to a first-of-its-kind international experiment. The research, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting Sunday and published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found the exercise program kept disease at bay with the benefits rivaling some drugs. Among 889 patients with treatable colon cancer who had completed chemotherapy, half were given information promoting fitness and nutrition while the others worked with a coach. They met every two weeks for a year, then monthly for the next two years, helping participants find ways to increase their physical activity. After eight years, those in the structured exercise program not only became more active than those in the control group but also had 28% fewer cancers and 37% fewer deaths from any cause. There were, however, more muscle strains and other similar problems in the exercise group. "When we saw the results, we were just astounded," said study co-author Dr. Christopher Booth, a cancer doctor at Kingston Health Sciences Centre in Kingston, Ontario. "It's an extremely exciting study," said Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who wasn't involved in the research. It's the first randomized controlled trial to show a reduction in cancer recurrences and improved survival linked to exercise, Meyerhardt said. Experts said cancer centers and insurance plans should consider making exercise coaching a new standard of care for colon cancer survivors. Until then, patients can increase their physical activity after treatment, knowing they are doing their part to prevent cancer from coming back. Exercise programs can be offered for several thousand dollars per patient, Booth said, "a remarkably affordable intervention that will make people feel better, have fewer cancer recurrences and help them live longer." Prior evidence was based on comparing active people with sedentary people, a type of study that can't prove cause and effect. The new study — conducted in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Israel and the United States — compared people who were randomly selected for an exercise program with those who instead received an educational booklet. Academic research groups in Canada, Australia and the U.K. funded the work. "This is about as high a quality of evidence as you can get," said Dr. Julie Gralow, chief medical officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. "I love this study because it's something I've been promoting but with less strong evidence for a long time." Many people in the study, including Terri Swain-Collins, chose to walk for about 45 minutes several times a week. "This is something I could do for myself to make me feel better," said Swain-Collins, 62, of Kingston, Ontario. Regular contact with a friendly coach kept her motivated and accountable, she said. "I wouldn't want to go there and say, 'I didn't do anything,' so I was always doing stuff and making sure I got it done." Swain-Collins' coaching program ended, but she is still exercising. She listens to music while she walks in the countryside near her home. That kind of behavior change can be achieved when people believe in the benefits, when they find ways to make it fun and when there's a social component, said paper co-author Kerry Courneya, who studies exercise and cancer at the University of Alberta. The new evidence will give cancer patients a reason to stay motivated. "Now we can say definitively exercise causes improvements in survival," Courneya said.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Exercise as important as drugs in keeping cancer at bay, suggests major new study
A new international study has found that a three-year exercise programme improved survival rates in colon cancer patients, as well as keeping the disease at bay. Experts have said that the benefits of the programme rival some drugs, and that cancer centres and insurance plans should consider making exercise coaching a new standard of care for colon cancer survivors. In the meantime, patients can increase their physical activity after treatment, knowing that they are helping to prevent the cancer from returning. 'It's an extremely exciting study,' said Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who wasn't involved in the research. It's the first randomized controlled trial to show how exercise can help cancer survivors, Meyerhardt said. Prior evidence was based on comparing active people with sedentary people, a type of study that can't prove cause and effect. The new study — conducted in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Israel and the United States — compared people who were randomly selected for an exercise program with those who instead received an educational booklet. 'This is about as high a quality of evidence as you can get,' said Dr. Julie Gralow, chief medical officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 'I love this study because it's something I've been promoting but with less strong evidence for a long time.' The findings were featured Sunday at ASCO's annual meeting in Chicago and published by the New England Journal of Medicine. Academic research groups in Canada, Australia and the U.K. funded the work. Researchers followed 889 patients with treatable colon cancer who had completed chemotherapy. Half were given information promoting fitness and nutrition. The others worked with a coach, meeting every two weeks for a year, then monthly for the next two years. Coaches helped participants find ways to increase their physical activity. Many people, including Terri Swain-Collins, chose to walk for about 45 minutes several times a week. 'This is something I could do for myself to make me feel better,' said Swain-Collins, 62, of Kingston, Ontario. Regular contact with a friendly coach kept her motivated and accountable, she said. 'I wouldn't want to go there and say, 'I didn't do anything,' so I was always doing stuff and making sure I got it done.' After eight years, the people in the structured exercise program not only became more active than those in the control group but also had 28% fewer cancers and 37% fewer deaths from any cause. There were more muscle strains and other similar problems in the exercise group. 'When we saw the results, we were just astounded,' said study co-author Dr. Christopher Booth, a cancer doctor at Kingston Health Sciences Centre in Kingston, Ontario. Exercise programs can be offered for several thousand dollars per patient, Booth said, 'a remarkably affordable intervention that will make people feel better, have fewer cancer recurrences and help them live longer.' Researchers collected blood from participants and will look for clues tying exercise to cancer prevention, whether through insulin processing or building up the immune system or something else. Swain-Collins' coaching program ended, but she is still exercising. She listens to music while she walks in the countryside near her home. That kind of behavior change can be achieved when people believe in the benefits, when they find ways to make it fun and when there's a social component, said paper co-author Kerry Courneya, who studies exercise and cancer at the University of Alberta. The new evidence will give cancer patients a reason to stay motivated. 'Now we can say definitively exercise causes improvements in survival,' Courneya said. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Exercise ‘rivals drugs' in bid to stop cancer returning after treatment
A new international study has found that a three-year exercise programme improved survival rates in colon cancer patients, as well as keeping the disease at bay. Experts have said that the benefits of the programme rival some drugs, and that cancer centres and insurance plans should consider making exercise coaching a new standard of care for colon cancer survivors. In the meantime, patients can increase their physical activity after treatment, knowing that they are helping to prevent the cancer from returning. 'It's an extremely exciting study,' said Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who wasn't involved in the research. It's the first randomized controlled trial to show how exercise can help cancer survivors, Meyerhardt said. Prior evidence was based on comparing active people with sedentary people, a type of study that can't prove cause and effect. The new study — conducted in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Israel and the United States — compared people who were randomly selected for an exercise program with those who instead received an educational booklet. 'This is about as high a quality of evidence as you can get,' said Dr. Julie Gralow, chief medical officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 'I love this study because it's something I've been promoting but with less strong evidence for a long time.' The findings were featured Sunday at ASCO's annual meeting in Chicago and published by the New England Journal of Medicine. Academic research groups in Canada, Australia and the U.K. funded the work. Researchers followed 889 patients with treatable colon cancer who had completed chemotherapy. Half were given information promoting fitness and nutrition. The others worked with a coach, meeting every two weeks for a year, then monthly for the next two years. Coaches helped participants find ways to increase their physical activity. Many people, including Terri Swain-Collins, chose to walk for about 45 minutes several times a week. 'This is something I could do for myself to make me feel better,' said Swain-Collins, 62, of Kingston, Ontario. Regular contact with a friendly coach kept her motivated and accountable, she said. 'I wouldn't want to go there and say, 'I didn't do anything,' so I was always doing stuff and making sure I got it done.' After eight years, the people in the structured exercise program not only became more active than those in the control group but also had 28% fewer cancers and 37% fewer deaths from any cause. There were more muscle strains and other similar problems in the exercise group. 'When we saw the results, we were just astounded,' said study co-author Dr. Christopher Booth, a cancer doctor at Kingston Health Sciences Centre in Kingston, Ontario. Exercise programs can be offered for several thousand dollars per patient, Booth said, 'a remarkably affordable intervention that will make people feel better, have fewer cancer recurrences and help them live longer.' Researchers collected blood from participants and will look for clues tying exercise to cancer prevention, whether through insulin processing or building up the immune system or something else. Swain-Collins' coaching program ended, but she is still exercising. She listens to music while she walks in the countryside near her home. That kind of behavior change can be achieved when people believe in the benefits, when they find ways to make it fun and when there's a social component, said paper co-author Kerry Courneya, who studies exercise and cancer at the University of Alberta. The new evidence will give cancer patients a reason to stay motivated. 'Now we can say definitively exercise causes improvements in survival,' Courneya said. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
