Surge in numbers
One in 20 people in the UK are cancer patients or survivors, according to a recent report by a charity. The total number, including those in remission, has reached a record 3.4 million, which is an increase of 500,000 since 2020.
Factors contributing to the rise
The increase is attributed to factors such as a growing and aging population, improved survival rates for some cancers, but also a rise in rates of others. A third of Brits feel that NHS care for cancer patients has worsened, as stated by Macmillan Cancer Support.
Ongoing challenges
Around 400,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK, with half of them succumbing to the disease within ten years. The International Agency for Research on Cancer predicts a further increase in annual cases to 650,000 by 2050, with deaths rising from 182,000 to 279,000.
Healthcare targets and early diagnosis
The NHS in England has been struggling to meet its target of treating 85% of patients within 62 days of a GP referral since 2015. However, the health service highlights that nearly 60% of people are now diagnosed in the early stages of the disease.
