UK cancer incidence statistics for common cancers

This page presents incidence statistics for all cancers combined (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) and the most common cancers diagnosed in the UK.

Cancer is a major cause of morbidity in the UK. In 2006, around 293,000 people were newly diagnosed with cancer ( Table 1.1). 1-4

A table showing the number of new cases of all cancers, excluding non melanoma skin cancer, diagnosed in the UK each year

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There are more than 200 different types of cancer, but four of them - breast, lung, large bowel (colorectal) and prostate - account for over half (54%) of all new cases. 1-4 Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK despite the fact that it is rare in men. The 20 most commonly diagnosed cancers in the UK are shown in Figure 1.1. 1-4

A chart showing the 20 most common cancers diagnosed in males and females in the UK

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These cancer incidence statistics may differ from other published data. Find out why in the frequently asked questions section.

 Non-melanoma skin cancer incidence statistics

Even though non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is a very common condition, it is curable in the vast majority of cases. In 2006, over 81,600 cases were registered but registration is known to be incomplete. It has been estimated that at least 100,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the UK 5. NMSC is therefore routinely omitted from the overall total for new cases of cancer.

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UK cancer incidence statistics by age

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References for common cancers incidence

  1.  Office for National Statistics, 2009 Cancer Statistics registrations: registrations of cancer diagnosed in 2006, England.
  2.  ISD Online, 2009 Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Survival data. Accessed 2009
  3.  Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, Cancer Incidence in Wales
  4.  Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, 2009 Cancer Incidence and Mortality.
  5.  Holme, S.A., K. Malinovszky, and D.L. Roberts, Changing trends in non-melanoma skin cancer in South Wales, 1988-98. Br J Dermatol, 2000. 143(6): p. 1224-9.