A recent study has found that more middle-aged people are finding themselves being diagnosed with cancer, however, at the same time, mortality rates are falling.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, was conducted by Cancer Research UK, which said that the results it found were “positive and reassuring” for those aged 35 to 69.
The data showed that cases of cancer in that age group rose from 1993 to 2018. However, at the same time, the number of men and women dying from cancer fell by 37% and 33%, respectively.
Researchers focused on 23 common types of cancer, finding that for 17 of them, the overall death rate fell among middle-aged people, with some death rates, like cervical cancer in women, falling by more than 54%.
There were reasons for some mortality rates falling, and the researchers shared that the drop in cervical cancer deaths could be credited to the widespread use of the HPV vaccine and improved screening.
“Cancer mortality had a substantial reduction during the last 25 years in both men and women aged 35-69 years,” the study said. “This decline is likely a reflection of the successes in cancer prevention. For example, smoking, prevention policies and cessation programs; earlier detection, for example screening programs; and improved diagnostic tests.”
Other cancers to see a significant drop thanks to cause and effect included lung cancer, which saw mortality rates in men fall by 53.2% and 20.7% in women, thanks to fewer people taking up smoking.
The study also highlighted falling rates for breast and bowel cancer, listing additional screening as the reason for more cases but fewer deaths, meaning people caught it early enough to start treatment quicker.
The four cancers that saw an increase in mortality rates over the 25-year period included liver, melanoma, oral, and kidney cancers.
When discussing the increase in cases, researchers pointed to the growing population and “lifestyle factors,” which the study said included exposure to the sun, alcohol consumption, and obesity.