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Cancer Risk for Men Rises to One in Two by 2027

TOP - Daily

As risk of cancer diagnosis increases, so does overall chance of survival

According to recent research figures, a man’s lifetime risk of developing cancer will be 1 in 2 by 2027.

Therefore, within 15 years, it is calculated that 50 men out of every 100 will receive a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lifetime. In 2010, the statistic was 44 of every 100 men.

However, cancer survival has doubled in the last 40 years. So although the risk of being diagnosed with cancer is increasing, a patient’s overall chance of surviving is also improving.

Bowel cancer, prostate cancer, and melanoma are expected to increase the most in the next 15 years.

The biggest risk factor for cancer is age. Thus, the increasing risk is largely due to a longer lifespan. As the years pass, more people will live long enough and reach an age at which they are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer.

Dr Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said, “These figures provide a glimpse into the future. On the plus side our life expectancy is increasing but this also means more of us are likely to be diagnosed with cancer.”

Source: Cancer Research UK.