U.K.: Cancer Cases 'To Increase A Third By 2020,' Says Official Report

LONDON, England (The Times), December 4, 2007: Cases of cancer are expected to increase by a third by 2020 with nearly 300,000 people having the disease diagnosed each year, according to a landmark government report published yesterday. The five-year Cancer Reform Strategy said the ageing population, obesity epidemic and rise in lifestyle cancers would cause the rise in the number of people having cancer diagnosed each year. Over half of all cancers could be prevented if people adopted healthy lifestyles such as stopping smoking, avoiding obesity, eating a healthy diet, undertaking a moderate level of physical activity, avoiding an excessive alcohol intake and avoiding excessive exposure to the sun. The new strategy includes plans to speed up drug approval, more money for radiotherapy services and a possible clampdown on sunbeds and cigarette vending machines. By David Rose See Report in The Times © Copyright 2007 Times Newspapers Ltd.