Cancer rates are on the rise in the country, with more than 250,000 new cases recorded in 2008, according to a new report.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in 2008 as many as 5,000 more men and 4,500 more women were found to have cancer in comparison with the previous year.
The latest data show that cancer cases have risen by 4% for men and 3.7% for women annually, with prostate, lung and bowel cancer being the most common.
The report also details that prostate cancer rates went up by 36% during the decade starting from 1998 to 2008, to 97.5 every 100,000 people in England.
Breast cancer affected a third of women, with the number of newly diagnosed cases going up by 7.6%, compared with a decade ago.
Lung cancer rates also increased, replacing colorectal as the second most common cancer form. However, there was a disparity in the rates between the sexes, with cases increasing by 8.3% for women, and falling by 20% for men during the decade.
A Department of Health spokesman said: “As the population continues to age, the incidence of cancer rises.
“We are tackling this through improving prevention activity, but at the same time we are working to achieve cancer survival rates among the best in the world.
“In the coming months we will be launching a public health white paper, a campaign to raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms, and give greater access to cancer drugs.
“Subject to final approval, next year we will also start piloting a new bowel cancer screening programme which could save around 3,000 lives per year.”
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