The number of cases of cancer in England have reached the highest level on record.
New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that 299,923 new cancer diagnoses were registered in 2015.
This is the equivalent of 822 every day.
Cancer Research UK warned that the figure will “only continue to grow”.
Emma Greenwood, director of policy and public affairs at the charity, said: “These figures highlight the number of lives affected by cancer in England and the scale of the challenge that the health system faces.
“This is the highest number ever seen and will only continue to grow.
“Across the UK, we expect around two million people to be diagnosed with cancer over the next five years.
“Tackling cancer and achieving world-class outcomes for people across the country must be a priority.”
The figure does not necessarily mean that 299,923 people were diagnosed with cancer, as some may have received a diagnosis for more than one cancer in the year studied.
But the ONS data shows that slightly more cancers were registered among men than women, with 153,061 new cases of cancer among men diagnosed, compared with 146,862 new cases among women.
"Generally, cancer incidence rates have increased," according to the ONS statistical bulletin.
"Advances in medicine have resulted in early detection of cancers, increasing the detection of cancer while reducing the number of people dying from the disease.
"Therefore, cancer mortality rates have generally decreased over time, despite the increase in cancer incidence."
Pensioners were most affected by new cases of cancer, with people over the age of 65 accounting for 65.2% of all cancers registered in 2015.
Breast, prostate, lung and colorectal cancer accounted for just over half (53%) of all cases.
Breast cancer was the most common cancer diagnosed in 2015, with 46,083 cases registered, including 319 cases among men, the ONS figures show.
Among men, prostate cancer accounted for one in four cancer cases, with 40,331 cases registered.
The second most common cancer for both males and females was lung cancer, followed by bowel cancer.
The figures also show that cancer incidence is highest in the north of England and lowest in London.
Dr Moira Fraser, director of policy and public affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "We know that more people than ever before are receiving the life-changing news that they have cancer.
"That's why it's more important than ever that the next Government prioritises and supports the NHS workforce so that it can meet the rising demand over the next five years and beyond.
"The statistics released today already take into account the ageing and growing population, so the reasons for the increase in diagnoses are likely to include better and earlier detection, but also lifestyle choices which can raise someone's risk of getting cancer.
"What we are also seeing is a worrying level of regional variation, with much higher rates of people being diagnosed with cancer in certain parts of the country. This is an added challenge for the health service, and one which needs to be tackled on a local and national level.
"As one in two people will get cancer in their lifetime, every family in the UK is likely to face the disease at some point, and wherever they are, they need the best care and support from the point of diagnosis, as well as the right information about cancer and its risk factors."
Sarah Toule, head of health information at World Cancer Research Fund, added: "To reverse the tide of growing numbers of cancer cases, it is vital that people are aware that there are steps they can take to reduce their cancer risk.
"About a third of the most common cancers could be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices, including being a healthy weight, not drinking alcohol and getting more exercise."