New Cancer Research UK figures say women’s cancer rates are rising faster than men’s

Cancer rates will climb nearly six times faster in women than in men over the next 20 years, according to the latest figures released today (Friday) by Cancer Research UK. (CRUK)

The charity predicts that UK cancer rates will increase by around half a per cent for men and by around three per cent for women. This will mean that by 2035 an estimated 4.5 million women and 4.8 million men will be diagnosed with cancer in the 20 year period.

CRUK says lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity have a big impact on the number of female cancers rising.

Ovarian is among the specific cancer types which CRUK says are leading to this increase and are predicted to rise the most over the next 20 years.

Our Chief Executive, Katherine Taylor, says: “Ovarian cancer is a serial killer. It takes a life every two hours and it strikes at the heart of what it is to be a woman. Predictions that incidence will sharply rise simply must not be realised.

“Lifestyle is only a very small part of the picture. Diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer lags way behind high profile disease like prostate or breast cancer and that’s just not good enough. These numbers wouldn’t be so significant if ovarian cancer got the attention it deserves. It’s time for the government to put its money where its mouth is and get serious about investing in such a devastating disease.”