This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/5391410.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Breast cancer cases have soared | Breast cancer cases have soared |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The number of breast cancer cases has rocketed in the last three decades, but death rates are falling, figures show. | The number of breast cancer cases has rocketed in the last three decades, but death rates are falling, figures show. |
| The data from the Office for National Statistics showed that from 1971 to 2004 the number of cases of the disease rose by 81% to 36,939 cases in England. | The data from the Office for National Statistics showed that from 1971 to 2004 the number of cases of the disease rose by 81% to 36,939 cases in England. |
| But deaths from the disease have fallen by a fifth since 1989 to 12,417 due to better treatment and earlier detection. | But deaths from the disease have fallen by a fifth since 1989 to 12,417 due to better treatment and earlier detection. |
| Experts said the rise in cases was being fuelled by lifestyle changes and the start of national screening. | Experts said the rise in cases was being fuelled by lifestyle changes and the start of national screening. |
| MOST COMMON FEMALE CANCERS Breast - 36,939 cases (31.9% of total)Bowel - 13,020 cases (11.2%)Lung - 12,337 cases (10.7%) | MOST COMMON FEMALE CANCERS Breast - 36,939 cases (31.9% of total)Bowel - 13,020 cases (11.2%)Lung - 12,337 cases (10.7%) |
| Factors such as obesity and drinking alcohol are known to increase the risk of a woman getting breast cancer. | Factors such as obesity and drinking alcohol are known to increase the risk of a woman getting breast cancer. |
| The ageing population is also a factor, but this was taken into account by ONS statisticians when compiling the figures. | The ageing population is also a factor, but this was taken into account by ONS statisticians when compiling the figures. |
| But Mark Matfield, scientific consultant for the Association for International Cancer Research, said the fact that women were having smaller families and breast-feeding less also played a part. | But Mark Matfield, scientific consultant for the Association for International Cancer Research, said the fact that women were having smaller families and breast-feeding less also played a part. |
| "It is hard to pin down exactly what has caused this rise. These lifestyle factors are having a significant impact, but so has the introduction of the national screening programme in the late 1980s. | "It is hard to pin down exactly what has caused this rise. These lifestyle factors are having a significant impact, but so has the introduction of the national screening programme in the late 1980s. |
| Nutrition | Nutrition |
| "Better nutrition also mean the age of the first period is falling and this increases risk later in life. | "Better nutrition also mean the age of the first period is falling and this increases risk later in life. |
| "It is a complex picture." | "It is a complex picture." |
| Sir Richard Peto, a cancer expert at Oxford University, warned against reading too much into the rises in the number of cases. | Sir Richard Peto, a cancer expert at Oxford University, warned against reading too much into the rises in the number of cases. |
| "Incidence is not reliable, it fluctuates depending on how well you measure it and record it. | "Incidence is not reliable, it fluctuates depending on how well you measure it and record it. |
| "The thing that matters most is the decreases in the deaths." | "The thing that matters most is the decreases in the deaths." |
| MOST COMMON MALE CANCERS Prostate - 29,406 cases (25% of total)Lung - 18,071 cases (15.3%)Bowel - 15,817 cases (13.4%) | |
| And Dr Lesley Walker, of Cancer Research UK, advised women of the precautions they could take to reduce the risk of breast cancer. | |
| "A balanced diet and regular exercise can help women maintain a healthy weight which lowers the risk of several common cancers. | |
| "Over the age of 50 women should ensure that they go for breast screening when invited. | |
| "Women should also be aware of any significant family history of cancer and keep their doctor informed." | |
| The figures also showed that breast cancer accounted for one in three newly diagnosed cases of cancer in females. Bowel and lung cancer where the next most common. | The figures also showed that breast cancer accounted for one in three newly diagnosed cases of cancer in females. Bowel and lung cancer where the next most common. |
| For men, prostate cancer was the most common, accounting for 25% of the total number of cancers. Lung and bowel cancer were the next most prevalent. | For men, prostate cancer was the most common, accounting for 25% of the total number of cancers. Lung and bowel cancer were the next most prevalent. |
| Prostate cancer in particular has shown a sharp increase since 1990, doubling to 98 cases per 100,000 due to better testing methods. | Prostate cancer in particular has shown a sharp increase since 1990, doubling to 98 cases per 100,000 due to better testing methods. |