Cancer death rates in the UK have fallen to a historic low, dropping by 11% over the past decade and 29% since their peak in 1989. According to analysis by Cancer Research UK (CRUK), around 247 in every 100,000 people are thought to die from cancer in any given year.
Key Takeaways
Cancer death rates in the UK have fallen to an historic low, dropping by 11% over the past decade and 29% since their peak in 1989. The NHS cervical screening programme and HPV vaccine have significantly reduced cervical cancer deaths. However, some cancers like gallbladder and liver have seen increased death rates.
- Cancer death rate down by 29% from its peak in 1989
- Ovarian, stomach, and lung cancer death rates fell by 19%, 34%, and 22% respectively
- Gallbladder cancer deaths rose by 29%
- NHS cervical screening programme and HPV vaccine have significantly reduced cervical cancer deaths
- Government pledged £2bn to transform cancer services
The data shows significant improvements in death rates for several types of cancer. Ovarian cancer death rates fell by 19%, stomach cancer by 34%, and lung cancer by 22%. Bowel cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, leukaemia, and oesophageal cancer also saw notable decreases.
However, some death rates have increased over the same period. Gallbladder cancer is up by 29%, eye cancer by 26%, liver cancer by 14%, and kidney cancer by 5%. Figures for other cancers, such as thyroid, pancreatic, and melanoma, have remained stable.
The NHS cervical screening programme has had a major impact on reducing cervical cancer death rates. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, introduced in 2008 and given to schoolchildren, is also helping efforts to tackle the disease. At least 6.5 million people have received the vaccine in the UK.
Dr Sam Godfrey, science engagement lead at CRUK, attributed the drop in death rates to decades of crucial scientific breakthroughs, including vaccines that prevent cancer and kinder, more targeted treatments. He described the UK as a 'global leader in cancer research' but warned against taking progress for granted.
The charity emphasized the need for the government to make it easier and faster to set up clinical trials and provide NHS staff with the time and space to carry out life-saving research. The death rate for prostate cancer has fallen by 11% in the past decade due to better treatments. Other factors contributing to falling death rates include smoking bans and screening for breast, bowel, and cervical cancers.
The Guardian revealed that British cancer patients were being denied life-saving drugs and trials of revolutionary treatments were being derailed by red tape and extra costs brought on by Brexit. The UK’s exit from the EU had “damaged the practical ability” of doctors to offer NHS patients life-saving new drugs via international clinical trials.
In response, the government pledged £2bn to resolve the crisis by transforming cancer services, with millions of patients promised faster diagnoses, quicker treatment and more support to live well. However, despite these improvements, a growing and ageing population means that the overall number of people dying from cancer continues to rise.
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