Fewer are dying from common cancers (From Knutsford Guardian)

Fewer are dying from common cancers

6:30am Friday 10th July 2009

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The death toll from three of the most common cancers has fallen to its lowest level in almost 40 years, a new analysis of figures show.

The UK death rates from breast, bowel, and male lung cancer are at their lowest since 1971.

Breast cancer deaths among women peaked in 1989 at 15,625 but fell to 11,990 in 2007, according to the data, from Cancer Research UK - equivalent to a drop in mortality rates of 36%.

Bowel cancer deaths among both sexes peaked in 1992 at 19,598, but fell to 16,007 in 2007 - a 31% drop in mortality rates.

Meanwhile, the number of men dying from lung cancer peaked in 1979 at 30,391 but dropped to 19,637 in 2007 - equivalent to a drop in mortality rates of 53%.

The number of people developing cancer is on the rise as people live longer than ever before.

But fewer people are dying from the disease partly due to improved screening and new and better treatments.

Deaths from lung cancer have also been falling as people give up smoking.

Cancer Research UK is now launching a new national TV advertising campaign to raise money and increase awareness of cancer.

Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: "Years of research are behind the dramatic progress being made in the fight against Britain's common cancers. Survival rates have doubled in the last 30 years and the work of Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of that progress."

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