UK Reports 20% Reduction in Cancer Mortality Amid Rising Diagnoses

The United Kingdom has witnessed a significant decline of 22% in cancer death rates since the 1970s, according to the Cancer in the UK Report 2025 published by Cancer Research UK. While this progress highlights improvements in cancer treatments and early detection efforts, the report also reveals that the number of new cancer cases has surged by nearly 50% over the same period. This increase in diagnoses suggests that more people are developing cancer, possibly driven by factors such as population aging, higher smoking rates, and rising obesity levels. Currently, approximately 1,100 individuals are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK.

Despite advances in survival rates, challenges in cancer care persist. The proportion of cancers diagnosed at an early stage has been steady at 54% in England for close to ten years. Although screening methods, such as fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) for bowel cancer, have seen improvements, participation in breast and cervical cancer screenings continues to decline in several regions, limiting their impact. It is estimated that existing screening programs save around 5,000 lives annually, although participation remains inconsistent.

The report emphasizes the role of lifestyle factors like smoking, which is linked to about 20% of cancer-related deaths, and obesity, now at its highest levels, associated with roughly 5% of cancer mortality in the UK. Systemic inequalities also contribute to disparities in cancer outcomes, as studies indicate that health system organization and service delivery play a larger role in driving these inequalities than individual behaviors or genetics.

These disparities are evident not only at diagnosis but throughout the entire cancer care continuum, including treatment phases. Experts stress the importance of addressing these systemic issues through comprehensive, equitable cancer strategies. Professor Bernard Rachet from LSHTM highlights that, although the UK has made remarkable progress in prevention, detection, and treatment, there remains a significant gap in survival rates compared to other high-income countries, particularly among socio-demographic groups.

Funding and research led by LSHTM’s ICON program continue to focus on understanding and reducing these inequalities, advocating for policies that incorporate community voices and target systemic barriers. As Dr. Manuela Quaresma notes, technological advances alone will not bridge these gaps unless combined with strategies aimed at health equity. The future of UK cancer care depends on these collaborative, policy-driven efforts to ensure that innovations benefit all segments of society equally.