Cancer risk for half of men: Report

Dec 19 2012

Almost half the population of men across the UK will be at risk of developing cancer within 15 years, a charity has warned.

Cases of melanoma, prostate and bowel cancer are set to increase rapidly, affecting 50% of men and 44% of women by 2027, Cancer Research UK said.

Men in the UK currently have a 44% chance of developing cancer and women's risk is 40%.

The disease predominantly affects people in old age and with people living longer, cases are set to increase, but the charity said research has led to survival rates doubling in the past 40 years.

Cancer Research UK is launching a fundraising campaign with TV adverts from Boxing Day aiming to fund more research, which it says is the key to beating the disease in all its forms.

Currently, about 14,000 men and 15,400 women are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland every year.

Linda Summerhayes, spokeswoman for Cancer Research UK in Scotland, said: "Research is driving up survival rates, but the figures released today show that significant challenges lie ahead.

"With more of us being diagnosed with cancer in future, there's still so much more to do.

"That's why we're calling on people across Scotland to back our new campaign and help us bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

"It's not just technology or knowledge that we need to win our fight against cancer - it's funding."