World Cancer Day: Half of British people will be diagnosed at some point in their lives

Cancer Research UK estimates that one in two people in the country will develop a cancer at some point in their lives.

15:58 04 February 2015

A new analysis released by Cancer Research UK estimates that one in two people will develop a form of cancer at some point in their lives. Previous estimates indicated that the disease will affect just one in three people.

The good news though is that more cancer patients are expected to recover due to advances in treatment and early detection.

The increase in number is due to longer lifespan and changes in lifestyle.

Lead author and cancer specialist Professor Peter Sasieni, said: “Cancer is primarily a disease of old age, with more than 60 per cent of all cases diagnosed in people aged over 65. If people live long enough then most will get cancer at some point.

“But there’s a lot we can do to make it less likely – like giving up smoking, being more active, drinking less alcohol and maintaining a healthy weight.”

Meanwhile, CRUK’s chief executive Harpal Kumar, called on NHS to prepare as early as now. “If the NHS doesn’t act and invest now, we will face a crisis in the future – with outcomes from cancer going backwards,” he said.