Cancer death rates hit historic new low across UK
Cancer death rates in the UK have hit a historic new low, according to data from cancer charity.
Analysis by charity Cancer Research UK, has said cancer death rates have fallen by 11% in the last decade. Around 247 in every 100,000 people in the UK are thought to die from cancer in any given year, which is a 29% drop on the peak in 1989 (around 355 per 100,000).
The data shows that ovarian cancer death rates have fallen by 19% in the last decade (2012-2014 to 2022-2024), while stomach cancer has dropped by 34% and lung cancer by 22%. Bowel cancer is down 6%, breast cancer by 14%, cervical cancer by 11% and leukaemia by 9%. Oesophageal cancer is also down 12%.
However, some cancer death rates have increased in the last decade, including gallbladder cancer (up 29%) eye cancer (up 26%), liver cancer (up 14%) and kidney cancer (up 5%). Some have remained stable such as thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer and melanoma.
When it comes to cervical cancer, there has been a 75% drop in death rates since the 1970s, with the NHS cervical screening programme having a huge impact. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is given to schoolchildren, is also driving down cervical cancers. At least 6.5 million people have received the vaccine in the UK since it was introduced in 2008.
Dr Sam Godfrey, science engagement lead at Cancer Research UK, said the overall drop in death rates was good news. “These figures represent decades of crucial scientific breakthroughs – from vaccines that prevent cancer to kinder, more targeted treatments,” he said.
“Because of this, thousands more people today can make memories, reach milestones, and spend precious time with their loved ones. The UK has been a global leader in cancer research, but we can’t take progress for granted.
“It’s essential that the Government makes it easier and faster to set up clinical trials, as well as providing NHS staff with the time and space to carry out life-saving research.”
Abiraterone, a drug which blocks testosterone from fuelling prostate cancer, was developed by Cancer Research UK scientists. The death rate for prostate cancer has dropped by 11% in the last decade, in part due to better treatments.
The charity said other factors which have contributed to falling death rates include smoking bans and the rollout of nationwide screening programmes for breast, bowel and cervical cancers. However, a growing and ageing population means that, overall, the number of people dying from cancer continues to rise.