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Survival statistics for the most common cancers

Cancer survival rates for patients diagnosed 1996-1999

Five-year age-standardised relative survival rates for the most common cancers in men and women diagnosed during 1996-1999 are shown in Figure 1.1.

Cancers are grouped into three survival bands: over 50%, 10- 50% and less than 10%. Of the twenty cancers studied, 7 cancers in women (49% of all cancers diagnosed in women) fell into the highest survival category, compared with 5 cancers for men (30% of all cancers diagnosed in men). For most types of cancer women have a small survival advantage over men.

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In men, the highest five-year survival rate was for testicular cancer - 96% for men diagnosed during 1996-1999. The discovery of serum markers in the late 1960s and the introduction of combination chemotherapy in the 1970s have proved highly effective in treating testicular cancer. It is a comparatively rare tumour, with around 1,900 men diagnosed each year in the UK, but the majority of cases are diagnosed in men under 50, so many years of life can be saved by effective treatment.

For women, the highest five-year survival rate, at 87%, was for malignant melanoma. Malignant melanoma affects around 3,500 men and 4,500 women each year in the UK and has the largest survival difference between men and women, at more than 10%.

Looking at all cancers combined the five-year relative survival rate has now reached 50%. The survival rate in women (56%) is higher than that in men (43%) and this is also the case for ten-year rates (39% vs.52%).

This section does not include any data on cancer survival in children. The childhood cancer section includes survival data on childhood cancers.

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References

1. Office for National Statistics Cancer Statistics registrations: Registrations of cancer diagnosed in 2002, England Series MB1 no.31. 2003, National Statistics: London
2. ISD Online Cancer Incidence and Mortality, NHS Scotland
3. Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, 2003
4. General Register Office (Northern Ireland) Cancer Incidence and Mortality

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