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02 May 2014 08:40
'Tipping point' achieved in cancer survival rates, say researchers (Photo: Rui Vieira/PA Wire)
The cancer survival rate has doubled over the past 40 years, new figures have revealed.
Half of people in England and Wales diagnosed today will survive at least a decade, said Cancer Research UK.
Improved screening, diagnosis and treatments have played their part in that progress, but the charity is now calling for more radical advances as it wants to see 10-year survival rates rise to 75% within the next 20 years.
As part of its effort to achieve that aim, it said it will increase what it invests in research by half within the next decade.
Those who need to take out cancer travel insurance for their holidays each year may be further encouraged by the researchers' comments that the latest figures represent a "tipping point" and cancer no longer needs to be seen as a "death sentence" as it was in the past.
While 24% of people diagnosed with cancer in 1971-2 survived for at least a decade, the analysis showed, that figure has risen to 50%.
The analysis is based on the outcomes for more than seven million patients and reveal there has been major progress in the treatment of cancer.
Nevertheless there remain major challenges especially for certain types of cancer, with just 1% of pancreatic cancer patients and 5% of lung cancer patients able to expect to survive for 10 years.
The researchers adjusted the latest results to account for the changing profile of new cancers being diagnosed, as a shift has taken place away from more deadly forms such as lung cancer and towards others with improved survival rates.
Cancer Research UK has singled out key areas for improvement if the 75% survival target is to be reached.
Those specific areas include investing in personalised cancer treatments, reducing smoking rates and working on the cancers with the lowest survival rates.
23 June 2017
The fall in the value of the pound could pose a shock to British holidaymakers this summer, a currency expert has warned.
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22 June 2017
Britons have been warned that they could be banned from all-inclusive holidays unless they stop making bogus food poisoning claims.
21 June 2017
Holidaymakers could save themselves money by opting for self-catering breaks this summer, a report has shown.
20 June 2017
From trips abroad to days out closer to home, the school holidays can be a costly time for families.
17 June 2017
Debit and credit card charges are causing holidaymakers to "waste" more than £100 million each year, a new report has warned.
16 June 2017
Aggressive and potentially lethal prostate cancer could be detected more quickly thanks to a simple blood test, scientists have revealed.
15 June 2017
Many holidaymakers are over-estimating the benefits offered by European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), a new study warns.
14 June 2017
British holidaymakers will benefit from the end of mobile roaming charges this week.
13 June 2017
UK holidaymakers could face higher costs in the months ahead following the collapse in the pound, the owner of a major travel firm has warned.
10 June 2017
Holidaymakers planning trips abroad in the coming days will be monitoring the progress of the pound closely following the surprise general election result.
09 June 2017
Family holidays to traditional hotspots like Menorca and Ibiza could end up costing more than far-flung destinations such as Orlando, Thailand and Bali, surprising new research suggests.
08 June 2017
Two of Europe's major budget airlines enjoyed strong passenger growth last month, as the summer holiday season got under way.