Cancer cases have reached a record high, with almost 1,000 people diagnosed every day, according to the latest NHS figures.
There were 346,217 diagnoses in England throughout 2022, 5 per cent more than the 329,664 recorded in 2021.
The increase was largely due to an increase in prostate cancer detection, with cases rising by more than a quarter to 54,732.
Cancer Registry Statistics show a 7 percent increase in overall cancer cases among men in 2022, from 167,917 to 180,877. In women, it was an increase of 2 percent, from 161,747 to 165,340.
While incidence has increased, cancer death rates are reported to be decreasing
“Our work is getting more people into treatment quickly, which could save lives,” said Dame Cally Palmer of NHS England.
Prostate cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2022, and more than half (51 percent) of all new cases were breast, lung or bowel cancer. NHS England said the higher figures were likely partly due to post-pandemic campaigns urging people to receive checks they had not received.
It also said cancer mortality rates are falling, from 345 deaths per 100,000 in men in 2011 to 299 per 100,000 in 2022 and in women from 237 deaths per 100,000 in 2011 to 212 deaths per 100,000 in 2022.
Dame Cally Palmer, national cancer director for NHS England, said: “Our work is leading to more people starting treatment quickly, which could save lives.”
“Some are still waiting too long to receive a diagnosis or clearance, and there is more to do to ensure all patients receive timely, high-quality care.”
Figures show that 75.5 per cent of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer in August were diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days.