Tuesday 29th September 2015
Mac Voice, the magazine for Macmillan professionals: Autumn 2015
Thousands of people living with the most common cancer types were diagnosed before the age of 45
Almost 80,000 people in the UK are living with one of the top four most common cancers and were diagnosed before the age of 45, according to research by Macmillan and Public Health England’s National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) .
The data, from the latest findings of a joint research programme between Macmillan and NCIN, was launched in June at the Cancer Outcomes Conference in Belfast. It reveals that almost 550 men living with prostate cancer in the UK and 2,000 people with lung cancer were diagnosed before the age of 45. In addition, almost 10,000 people living with colorectal cancer were diagnosed before 45, with more than 600 of these diagnosed before the age of 25.
The data also highlights that around a further 66,500 women living with breast cancer were diagnosed before the age of 45.
While there may be higher awareness of people living with breast cancer at all ages, the numbers living with prostate, colorectal and lung cancer from this young age are more surprising, as these cancers are traditionally associated with old age.
Julia Verne, Strategic Public Health Lead of NCIN, says, ‘It’s fantastic that so many people diagnosed under the age of 45 are surviving, but many will live with long-term physical and psychological effects of their cancer and its treatment. It’s crucial that we continue to develop and create initiatives to support these people.’
Email the Evidence team.
1. NCIN. Macmillan-NCIN work plan. 20-year cancer prevalence in the UK. 2015.