UK cancer mortality statistics for common cancers

This page presents mortality statistics for all cancers combined and the most common cancers diagnosed in the UK.

One in four (27%) of all deaths in the UK are caused by cancer. There were 155,484 cancer deaths in the UK in 2007 ( Table 1.1). 1-3

Number of deaths and mortality rates of all malignant neoplasms in the UK

Download this table (46KB)

Back to top ^

Deaths from cancers of the lung, bowel, breast and prostate together account for 47% of all cancer deaths. The 20 most common causes of death from cancer are shown in Figure 1.1.

The 20 most common causes of death from cancer in the UK

Download this chart (48KB)

Back to top ^

More than 1 in 5 (22%) of all cancer deaths are from lung cancer. 1-3 Colorectal cancer was the second most common cause of cancer death (10%) and, despite being extremely rare in men, breast cancer was the third most common cause of cancer death in all persons (8%).

Cancer was responsible for 27% of all deaths in the UK in 2007 - 29% for males and 25% for females. 1-3

Cigarette smoking has been identified as the single most important cause of preventable death in the UK. Overall, more than a quarter of all deaths from cancer, including an estimated 90% of lung cancer deaths, are linked to tobacco smoking. 4

Back to top ^

 
Forward to UK cancer mortality statistics by age Forward to
UK cancer mortality statistics by age

Browse related content

 

References

  1.  Office for National Statistics,2009 Mortality Statistics: Deaths registered in England & Wales, 2007.
  2.  General Register Office for Scotland, 2009 Deaths Time Series Data, 1997-2007.
  3.  Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency Registrar General Annual Report 2007 2009
  4.  Peto, R., Lopez, A.D., et al Mortality from Smoking in Developed Countries 1950-2000, second edition p498, June 2006