More Brits developing cancer than ever before but survival rates have doubled since 70s
Cancer Research UK studied 50 years of data and found tumour rates increased by nearly half – 48 per cent – between 1973 and 2023.
Advertisement
1
More Brits are developing cancer than ever before but we are twice as likely to survive the disease than patients in the 1970s
Credit: Getty
There are now 607 cases per 100,000 people per year, compared to 413 per 100,000 then.
Cancer has become more common as people live longer and the risk rises with age, but cases are now increasing fastest in younger people.
Scientists are investigating whether unhealthy lifestyles now are driving up the disease further.
Meanwhile, treatment advances mean cancer is less deadly than ever, with the death rate tumbling from 328 per 100,000 to 252.
Advertisement
The proportion of people who survive 10 years or more after diagnosis has doubled from 24 to 50 per cent.
Michelle Mitchell, chief of Cancer Research UK, said: 'It's fantastic to see that thanks to research, cancer death rates have drastically reduced over the last 50 years, and survival has doubled.
'However, there is more that can be done.
'This report highlights that over 460 people die from cancer every day in the UK, and too many cases are diagnosed at a late stage.
Advertisement
Most read in Health
Exclusive
Exclusive
'If we want to change that, we need bold action from the UK government and the upcoming National Cancer Plan for England must improve cancer survival and transform cancer services.'
The Cancer in the UK report warned that there has been almost no improvement to early diagnosis in the past 10 years.
If I had access to more information on breast health when I was younger, I may have caught my symptoms earlier
Nearly half of cases are still diagnosed in the later stages three and four, when a cure is much less likely.
CRUK said: 'The Government must make a concerted effort to reduce the number of people diagnosed with cancer at a later stage, with a focus on cancers that would lead to the greatest benefit in survival such as lung and bowel.'
Advertisement
What does it mean to be 'in remission' after cancer?
Hearing 'remission' after receiving cancer treatment is good news.
Being 'in remission' after cancer means that there are no signs or symptoms of cancer detectable in the body with the use of scans or blood tests.
The person show no signs directly related to the cancer either.
It can be partial or complete - even with the latter, it does not mean the cancer is cured.
'Cured' is not a term doctors would like to use, because they cannot guarantee there are zero cancer cells in the body.
Regular follow-up appointments and monitoring are essential to watch out for a possible return of the cancer.
People might need to take medication to keep their cancer at bay, for example hormone treatments.
Remission indicates that the cancer has responded to treatment and is currently under control.
Partial remission: Some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.
Complete remission: All signs and symptoms of cancer are gone, although this does not necessarily mean that the cancer has been cured.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I shed 6st in 9 months on fat jabs – the rule you need to follow to not put weight back on & it works when eating out
A WOMAN who shed a whopping 6st in just nine months has shared the secret behind not pilling back all the pounds when eating out. Lucy Davies kickstarted her 3 he blonde beauty has also been documenting the process and her experience with Mounjaro on TikTok Credit: tiktok/@insightfullucy 3 She recently revealed her tip for not putting all the weight back on Credit: @insightfullucy 3 Mounjaro is typically used to treat type 2 diabetes Credit: Getty The blonde beauty has also been documenting the process and Mounjaro is regarded by some as the King Kong of weight loss jabs. Sun GP But despite this, the NHS warned: 'Never take an anti-obesity medicine if it has not been prescribed to you. read more on dieting "These types of medicines may not be safe for you and can cause serious side effects.' About half a million Brits use weight loss drugs - and the number is expected to double in the next year. The injections are licensed for patients with Most read in Fabulous One jab is administered each week but the duration is dependent on someone's weight. Lucy's results were no doubt impressive - and despite looking incredible, she still enjoys the foods she loves, and it's all thanks to one key tip. Towie star Saffron Lempriere reveals how she lost 12 pounds in 4 weeks - without fat jabs The stunner, who posts under the username @ But while many of may stuff our faces - which is also needed from time to time - Lucy has maintained her enviable figure with ensuring she doesn't go overboard. ''I just make sure I stick to a calorie deficit,'' she told her 34k followers in Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. A calorie deficit is often touted as the key to weight loss - it's when you consume fewer calories than you burn in a day. Calories are the energy you get from food, fuelling everything from breathing to exercise. When you're in a calorie deficit, your body draws on stored energy (primarily fat) to make up the difference, which can lead to weight loss over time. To reach a calorie deficit, you need to either eat fewer calories, increase physical activity or do a combination of both. For example, if your calories are 2,000 per day, reducing to 1,500 calories or boosting physical activity by 500 calories would create a deficit. However, it's worth emphasising that creating a calorie deficit isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. Factors like age, how active you are, health conditions and metabolic rate - the speed at which your body burns calories at rest - can all affect your personal calorie needs. Thanks to being mindful, Lucy's managed to lose weight - whilst still consuming a variety of foods, including sweet potato fries which typically tend to be more fatty. However, that doesn't mean Lucy eats like this all the time - there have also been plenty of occasions when the foodie has opted for healthier, more veggie-heavy options to keep the calories lower. ''You can still enjoy eating out on Mounjaro,'' Lucy wrote in the caption. What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs? Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects. Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include: Nausea : This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts. Vomiting : Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea. Diarrhea : Some people experience gastrointestinal upset. Constipation : Some individuals may also experience constipation. Stomach pain or discomfort : Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort. Reduced appetite : This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss. Indigestion : Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating. Serious side effects can also include: Pancreatitis : In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney problems : There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon. Thyroid tumors : There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic. Vision problems : Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) : Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin. The reality of Mounjaro Although many have boasted about A probe also found that nearly 400 people have gone to hospital after taking The common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, which can lead to severe dehydration. And if that wasn't bad enough, doctors say they have also seen 'life-threatening complications', including seizures, bowel obstruction and inflammation of the pancreas. Model Lottie Moss, 27, even said The makers of Mounjaro, Lilly UK stressed: 'Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data. 'If anyone is experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine, they should talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional.'
The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm losing weight but it's nothing to do with Mounjaro – my FREE hack requires zero effort and is so simple
A WOMAN has revealed that she has shed 7kg without the help of Mounjaro. Since becoming available on the NHS earlier this year, weight loss jab Mounjaro has helped thousands of Brits shed unwanted weight. Advertisement 2 Cristina used Chat GPT to help her lose weight Credit: Instagram/cristinagheiceanu 2 She said her free hack was super easy Credit: Instagram/cristinagheiceanu And whilst many are overjoyed with the results, some have reported major side effects, including Not everyone can get the drug prescribed on the NHS either, so for those looking for an alternative, Cristina Gheiceanu, revealed her little known hack. The blonde beauty, from Switzerland revealed that she has used Chat GPT to help her shed 7kg. Taking to Instagram to explain how she did it, Cristina revealed that she first asked the AI chatbot to help her work out a calorie deficit. Advertisement Read more real life stories However, she said that what helped her the most was using the app to track her daily calorie intake. "Instead of using complicated apps, I just sent a voice message to ChatGPT each morning: what I ate, how many calories I wanted to eat that day — and it did all the work." She explained that, in the beginning, she had to tell the bot how much protein and fibre was in her foods, and how many calories they were. However, once she'd added a food once, it remembered how many calories were in it, meaning it became much quicker to track. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Exclusive "I kept using the same chat, so it became faster and easier every day", she said. Cristina said the best thing about her free hack, is that the chatbot puts everything into a table, so that she can track whether she is missing anything. I lost 4st & reversed my age by 10 years but my secret is NOT Mounjaro - here's my tips to feeling amazing in a bikini "If I am missing something, I just send a photo of my fridge and get suggestions", she said. Cristina's ( Advertisement Instagram users raced to the video's comments section to share their thoughts on the clever hack. One person said: "Thank you so much for sharing this generously with us. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WEIGHT LOSS JABS ON THE NHS? NHS eligibility for weight loss injections has expanded but still lags behind the number who could potentially benefit from taking them. Wegovy, medical name semaglutide, is only available for weight loss through specialist weight management clinics. Patients are typically expected to have tried other weight loss methods before getting a prescription. They may be eligible if their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30, or higher than 27 if they have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, is also available from GP practices but currently only to patients with a BMI of 40 or higher (or 37.5 if from a minority ethnic background) plus four weight-related health conditions. The medicines are currently being rationed to the patients most in need. NHS watchdog NICE estimates that more than three million Brits will ultimately be eligible. The GLP-1 injections are prescribed separately by GPs for people with type 2 diabetes, and patients should discuss this with their doctor. "You look stunning!" A second person said: "I tried using your method and it worked really well! Thank you so much for sharing it. Advertisement "I used to get stuck and overwhelmed trying to calculate and research detailed nutrition info, it was really hard and confusing. "But tracking food using ChatGPT the way you showed is so much easier, more convenient, and way less stressful." A third added: "I did the same thing. It essentially helped cut out the cost of a nutritionist and helped me lose 20 pounds in a healthy, achievable and maintainable way."
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Can't get fat jabs on the NHS? The 6 ‘Nozempic' foods that mimic the effects of weight-loss injections
WEIGHT loss drugs can sound like a magical quick fix to overeating and constant hunger pangs. But not everyone is eligible for the drugs, and lots wouldn't opt for them even if they were. Lots of us are still looking to blast some belly fat though, so what if we said you could mimic the meds, with none of the unpleasant side effects? The good news is there are simple ways to mimic fat jabs. 7 With a few diet changes, you can mimic the effects of weight-loss injections without the nasty side effects Credit: Getty Yep, with just a few diet changes, you could swerve the First developed to treat They work by mimicking naturally occurring incretins - hormones, like GLP-1 - that tell your brain you're full up. 'They reduce your minute-to-minute hunger drive,' says Dr Curtis. 'They also slow stomach emptying, so make you fuller for longer and can stabilise blood sugars.' But certain foods can put the brakes on hunger like this too… THE 'NOZEMPIC' DIET 'EVERYBODY creates GLP-1 after they eat, along with a whole swathe of other hormones that tell us we're full and don't necessarily need to carry on eating,' says Emily Lenoir, a registered associate nutritionist and behaviour change coach at Voy. 'There are a few foods that might increase the feeling of fullness, and that often is in relation to a slight peak in GLP-1.' So, pop these in your basket when you next do a big shop… 1. MEAT FEAST 7 Protein takes longer digest and seems to increase GLP-1 levels which will help support that feeling of fullness for longer Credit: Getty CHICKEN, turkey, salmon, eggs… 'Protein takes a little bit longer to digest; it stays in our stomach for longer,' says Lenoir. 'There also seems to be a slight increase in GLP-1 after eating protein.' She adds: 'If a quarter of your meals is coming from protein, which is often what we recommend, then you're likely to have that meal stay in your stomach for a bit longer, and help support that feeling of fullness.' Research from 2020 found that egg whites are particularly handy for GLP-1 release, so get boiling. 2. THE F-WORD 7 Eating fibres in your meal will help slow digestion and make sure you feel fuller Credit: Getty 'That comes from a variety of fruits and vegetables,' says Lenoir. 'If you're getting a whole range of fibres - fermentable fibres (loved by good gut bacteria), and soluble fibres (which slow digestion) - in your meal, that will help slow digestion and make sure you're feeling fuller." Insoluble fibre includes wholegrains like brown rice and wholegrain cereals, as well as leafy greens, nuts and seeds. Soluble fibre, the best type for keeping you full, includes oats, lentils, beans, apples, pears and root vegetables. It turns into a gel-like substance in the gut. Like fat jabs - but by different mechanism - this slows the rate at which food exits, keeping you fuller for longer. Berries are incredibly fibre-rich, as are apples, broccoli, peas, beans and Brussels sprouts. Some studies have found you can reduce glucose spikes, often caused by carbs, by eating your veg first, but Lenoir says not to worry about that too much. 'If you're eating carbohydrates alongside lots of different foods, you're likely to manage that quite well anyway,' she says. And eating things separately isn't always realistic. 'If you're making Bolognese, you're not going to split that up into your veggies, beef and then pasta,' says Lenoir. 3. OATS SO SIMPLE 7 Overnight oats and homemade granola ticks all the boxes to help you feel fuller Credit: Getty GO big on homemade granola and porridge for breakfast to curb hunger pangs through the day - oats are a soluble A 2024 study in the Journal of Nutrition, led by University of Arizona, showed that beta-glucan, found in insoluble fibres like oats, barley and mushrooms, was the only type of fibre that helped mice lose weight by facilitating the release of GLP-1. Lenoir says: 'Oats are high in fibre and have some proteins. 'They tick all the boxes in that respect and definitely help people feel fuller. 'It's important to also pair your meals so you're having a bit of everything. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WEIGHT LOSS JABS ON THE NHS? NHS eligibility for weight loss injections has expanded but still lags behind the number who could potentially benefit from taking them. Wegovy, medical name semaglutide, is only available for weight loss through specialist weight management clinics. Patients are typically expected to have tried other weight loss methods before getting a prescription. They may be eligible if their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30, or higher than 27 if they have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, is also available from GP practices but currently only to patients with a BMI of 40 or higher (or 37.5 if from a minority ethnic background) plus four weight-related health conditions. The medicines are currently being rationed to the patients most in need. NHS watchdog NICE estimates that more than three million Brits will ultimately be eligible. The GLP-1 injections are prescribed separately by GPs for people with type 2 diabetes, and patients should discuss this with their doctor. 'Oats are the majority carbohydrates, so you want to pair that with some yogurt, berries, nuts and seeds on top, to give you that full variety. 'That can help you feel satisfied for a prolonged period, and stop that big peak and trough that can come from a higher carb meal.' 4. GO NUTS 7 Having a handful of almonds or pistachios as a snack might increase your GLP-1 levels too Credit: Getty NUTS can divide a room - some people feel saintly snacking on them, but others are wary of eating too many for fear of getting fat. However, a review from 2016 revealed almonds, pistachios, and peanuts might actually increase GLP-1 levels thanks to being packed with protein, fibre and healthy fats. Lenoir says: 'They're shown to overall be quite beneficial if you're adding a handful here and there, but obviously, if you were eating a huge amount, that might have an impact on your energy levels across a day.' Too many could also impact your waistline, so keep portion sizes under control. 5. HOLY GUACAMOLE 7 Avocados have a good level of fibre in them - and can also slash insulin levels while increasing GLP-1 Credit: Getty MILLENNIALS might get a lot of grief for how many avocados they eat, but it looks like they're onto something. A 2019 study by the Center for Nutrition Research at the Illinois Institute of Technology found the guacamole staple can slash insulin levels and increase GLP-1 levels, alongside peptide YY - another appetite-regulating hormone - when eaten in place of carbs. Avocados also 'have a really good level of fibre' in them, which helps with satiety, says Lenoir. She adds: 'But similarly [to nuts], it's got fats in it, and fats are higher in energy per gram than other macronutrients. 'It's important to consider your whole diet, and probably eating just avocado isn't going to fit the bill.' 6. PICKLED 7 Fermented foods are often dubbed 'superfoods' but could also curb your appetite Credit: Getty KEFIR, sauerkraut, yogurt, pickles and kimchi are all 'Fermented foods help improve the number of good gut microbiome species in your gut, and also sometimes act like fermentable fibres, which give us short chain fatty acids,' explains Lenoir. 'There's some evidence to suggest that that can increase the level of GLP-1. 'If you have a better variety of gut microbiome then you're likely to be able to manage hunger slightly better.' CAN'T GET NO SATISFACTION REMEMBER, what you're eating is only part of the story. 'There's two sides of hunger: You can feel physically hungry, but you can also feel unsatisfied because you simply aren't including foods you enjoy,' says Lenoir. This can actually lead to overeating, she warns: 'Psychologically, that can increase things like cravings.' So while not overly nourishing or hunger-busting, completely cutting out biscuits or chips could actually jeopardise your weight loss goals. 'I would never recommend people cut things out, it's always about finding that balance of how to stay satisfied for as long as possible, but also having foods you really enjoy,' says Lenoir. And whether you're on weight loss medication, or trying to shed pounds in the traditional way, also avoid eating too little. 'What we really want to maximise is your health gain as you're losing weight,' says Dr Curtis - that doesn't happen if your diet becomes too restricted. 'That's when we worry about undernutrition,' says Dr Curtis. 'I tell patients to make sure every calorie counts.'
