A little bit of good news up next - a new milestone has been reached according to the latest data from charity Cancer Research UK. More than one million lives have been saved thanks to progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment since the mid-nineteen eighties. Michelle Mitchell is the charity's chief executive.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 UK cancer mortality rates have fallen by around a quarter since the mid-1980s. This means
00:10 because of the power of science, research, the introduction of screening and new tests
00:17 and treatments in the NHS, 1.2 million more lives would have been lost to the disease
00:25 if we hadn't had these interventions. So very good news, also putting a powerful light on
00:31 the importance of science and research and giving people those extra moments with their
00:37 loved ones.
00:39 Analysis reveals that cancer mortality rates have fallen by a quarter after peaking in
00:43 1985 for men and 1989 for women. The falling mortality rates can be attributed to a number
00:50 of scientific breakthroughs, according to Michelle, Cancer Research UK's CEO.
00:54 Cancer Research UK funds 50% of all publicly funded cancer research and that's because
01:00 of the generosity of the great British public and we put their money to great effect. We
01:06 fund 4,000 scientists, researchers, clinicians and nurses who are dedicated to understanding
01:15 more about cancer and how better to prevent, diagnose and treat it because we know through
01:21 prevention, through early diagnosis and kinder treatments that not only will more people
01:27 survive cancer but will have a better quality of life and of course share those important
01:33 moments that matter to them with their families and loved ones.
01:38 More than half a million lives have been saved from lung cancer, with stomach, bowel and
01:42 breast cancer also seeing large improvements in mortality rates. While the new analysis
01:47 paints a positive picture, the progress isn't equal for all cancers, with cancers of the
01:52 head and neck and liver seeing a rise in the rate of deaths.
01:56 Some very good ingredients in the pot so we should be optimistic about the future but
02:01 I am worried. I am worried because government has to commit to funding cancer research at
02:09 a sustainable level. We can't be solely reliant on the generosity of the British public and
02:15 when you look at the NHS, we are seeing today cancer patients waiting incredibly long time,
02:22 at a time which of course is very anxious for people, for their tests, treatment and
02:27 diagnosis of cancer. So we need to see government step in and fund the NHS effectively to make
02:35 sure those treatments that are being developed are delivered to people as quickly as possible
02:39 and make sure that there is the workforce and the kit there so that people aren't waiting
02:44 and getting speedy access to treatment.
02:47 With the national health system and research environment under enormous strain, Cancer
02:51 Research UK is calling for strong political leadership as well as an ambitious strategy
02:56 for the NHS and cancer research to ensure these trends continue in the decades to come.
03:01 [BLANK_AUDIO]