By 2050, Cancer Deaths Could Be 'Eliminated' For Under 80s
By 2050, Cancer Deaths Could Be 'Eliminated' For Under 80s
PA/The Huffington Post UK
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Cancer deaths in the UK could be "eliminated" within 35 years for anyone under 80 if patients have better access to prevention measures and treatment, scientists have said.
Researchers at University College London (UCL) and Kings College London said advances in radiological, surgical and drug treatments combined with a reduction in smoking and improved early diagnosis rates meant the "war against cancer" could largely be won by 2050.
But in a report they said investment in cancer care must increase and questioned restricting access to medicines, while urging the NHS to do more to encourage patients' awareness of minor symptoms that could indicate cancer and lead to early diagnosis.
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It follows a government announcement it is to stop funding 25 cancer treatments through the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) as part of efforts to cut its projected costs by £80 million.
David Taylor, emeritus professor of pharmaceutical and public health policy at UCL, told the i: "What makes this a special point in history is that cancers are in the process of becoming either preventable or effectively curable.
"There should be no question of the NHS not being able to afford world-class cancer prevention and treatment - no health service user should feel they have to beg for the best possible therapies."
The research, funded by Boots UK, showed deaths from the four most lethal cancers - breast, lung, bowel and prostate - had fallen by 30% between 1991 and 2012.
And around 325,000 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year, with the chances of under 20s developing cancer around one in 5,000, rising to one in 100 for those in their 50s and 1 in 30 for over 65s.
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Know Your Body, Spot Cancer Symptoms
A lump or swelling anywhere on your body needs checking out(01 of10)
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AXA’s research found that 79% of people were able to correctly identify breast lumps as a potential indicator of cancer. But a lump or swelling in any part of the body, including the armpit, neck, abdomen, groin or chest area, is worth having checked by a doctor. (credit:Alamy)
Talk about your toilet habits(02 of10)
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Diarrhoea or changes in bowel habits are most likely to be caused by a stomach bug or eating something that disagrees with you. But if you’re noticing changes that have lasted more than a few days, for example if your bowel movements are looser for three weeks or more, or you notice any blood when you’ve been to the toilet, then make an appointment to get it checked out. (credit:Alamy)
Sores and ulcers should disappear quickly – investigate them if they don’t(03 of10)
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A lot of people get mouth ulcers when their immune system is low or they’re stressed. Generally they’re nothing to worry about and, as the lining of the mouth regenerates itself every couple of weeks, shouldn’t last long. But any ulcer that hasn’t healed after three weeks merits attention from your doctor or dentist. The same goes for any sore or spot that lasts for several weeks without healing – get it checked by a doctor. (credit:Alamy)
Difficult passing urine – not just an inevitable consequence of age (04 of10)
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Many men find it more difficult to pass urine as they get older, needing to go more often or urgently or being unable to go when they need to. These problems are usually caused by an enlarged prostate, which is a common condition that is not in itself cause for concern. But occasionally these symptoms can be a sign of prostate cancer – either way, men experiencing these symptoms should see their GP. Similarly, while urinary tract infections are the most likely cause of women having pain or difficulty passing urine, this should pass relatively quickly. If it doesn’t, then any sudden urges to pass urine or the need to go more often should be discussed with your doctor. (credit:Alamy)
Lost weight without dieting?(05 of10)
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It’s natural for most people’s weight to fluctuate over time. But if you haven’t instigated any changes in your diet or exercise regime and have obviously lost weight, then talk to your doctor. And if you’re experiencing heavy night sweats you should seek medical advice – these don’t always have a sinister cause, and can be brought about by certain infections or medications, but they’re worth checking. (credit:Alamy)
Coughing up blood needs to be checked out(06 of10)
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If you’ve coughed up any blood, you should see your doctor, regardless of the amount of blood or frequency. It can be a sign of lung cancer, so needs to be checked out. (credit:Alamy)
Coughs and sore throats(07 of10)
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Most of us will experience coughs or croaky voices at some point, normally when we’ve had a cold. But as with many other changes to your body, anything that hasn’t gone away after three weeks or so should be investigated. (credit:Alamy)
Educate yourself on what to look out for(08 of10)
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AXA’s research found women were more likely than men to identify key cancer warning signs, including breast lumps, changes in bowel habits and irregular moles. But for both men and women, ensuring you’re aware of symptoms to keep an eye out for is important. Knowledge is power: understanding what you’re looking for means you can any changes checked out quickly. (credit:Alamy)
Know your own body(09 of10)
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AXA’s research found only 6% of men and 3% of women check their bodies daily for anything unusual. But understanding what’s normal for your own body is essential if you’re to spot when anything has changed. If you do notice changes that are persisting for a long time, or causing you pain and discomfort, then see your GP. (credit:Alamy)
Don’t put off seeing the doctor!(10 of10)
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A sizeable 61% of people AXA spoke to admitted they’d delayed seeing their doctor when they spotted changes that could be potential flags for cancer. But early detection of any problems can make a huge difference if any treatment is then needed. Similarly, if changes are harmless your doctor will be able to reassure you. Overall, the sooner you go to see your GP, the better. (credit:Alamy)
In the report, Prof Taylor and his fellow academics said: "In Britain the NHS may, despite its advantages, have in the past discouraged the sensitivity to 'minor' symptoms and what can sometimes be called 'time wasting' questions vital for optimally successful cancer prevention and treatment.
"There may also have been a fatalistic acceptance that cancer therapies will always be inconsistently available to those who could benefit from them.
"Yet with a growing recognition of such problems, and ongoing investment in both public health and the biomedical sciences central to achieving further therapeutic progress, the view offered here is that by the middle of this current century humanity's 'war against cancer' that can be dated back to Hippocrates and before could and should have been largely won.
"It is realistic to expect that by 2050 nearly all cancer related deaths in children and adults aged up to (say) 80 years will have become preventable through life style changes and because of the availability of protective technologies and better pharmaceutical and other therapies."
They added the NHS needed to "move away from a culture in which people feel inhibited about discussing with health care professionals minor symptoms or subtle changes in their bodies that might seem trivial, but could be indicative of problems like early-stage cancers."