Breast cancer bombshell: UK deaths from disease set to rocket by over 40 per cent – as mystery surge in under 50s continues to baffle doctors
Breast cancer deaths in the UK are set to soar by more than 40 per cent by 2050, grim research today suggested.
Just over 12,000 women lost their lives to the disease in 2022, figures show.
Yet, this is set to hit more than 17,000 by the half-century, with thousands more cases in Britain than previously estimated, the World Health Organization said.
Brits have some of the lowest chances of getting breast cancer on the Continent but still fare worse than France and Sweden.
The data also showed patients in the UK are more likely to die from the cancer than people in the US.
Experts from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) — part of the WHO — examined cancer data from over 50 different countries, including the UK.
They blamed a rising and ageing population — combined with unhealthy lifestyles — on the projected surge in cases and warned health officials it was ‘vital’ to act now.
It comes as concerning research has suggested breast cancer cases globally are rising in the under-50s, an alarming trend which experts say they are unsure exactly why.
Just over 12,000 women lost their lives to the disease in 2022, figures show. Yet, this is set to hit more than 17,000 by the half-century, with thousands more cases in Britain than previously estimated, the World Health Organization said
Symptoms of breast cancer to look out for include lumps and swellings, dimpling of the skin, changes in colour, discharge and a rash or crusting around the nipple
IARC scientist and study co-author, Dr Joanne Kim, said: ‘Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide and one woman dies from the disease, and these statistics are worsening.’
Writing in the journal Nature Medicine, the scientists added: ‘While breast cancer is a recognized public health priority, these findings provide evidence using key indicators to further support a call to action to address inadequacies and inequities in global breast cancer care.
‘Strategies for early detection, including screening and efficient referral care pathways, and comprehensive treatment, are also required.’
Researchers said there were 58,756 new cases of breast cancer in the UK in 2022, and this is expected to rise to 71,006 by 2050 — an increase of 21 per cent.
In 2022 there were also 12,122 deaths from the disease, they added.
This is expected to rise to 17,261 by 2050 — a jump of 42 per cent.
Around 23 per cent of breast cancer cases in the UK are thought to be preventable, with around 8 per cent of cases caused by obesity and 8 per cent by drinking too much alcohol.
But getting older is the major risk factor for any type of cancer, largely caused by cell DNA damage accumulating over time.
Checking your breasts should be part of your monthly routine so you notice any unusual changes. Simply rub and feel from top to bottom, in semi-circles and in a circular motion around your breast tissue to identify any abnormalities
Globally, the study also found that on average one in 20 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
By 2050, there will be 3.2 million new cases and 1.1 million breast cancer-related deaths per year if current trends continue.
It comes as research last year suggested that while deaths from breast cancer in women have dropped by around 10 per cent in the past decade, incidence rates are rising by 1 per cent per year overall – and 1.4 per year for women under the age of 50.
Another, by the University of Edinburgh in 2023, looked at the impact of 29 cancers on people aged between 14 and 49 years-old in more than 200 countries and regions.
Their analysis found that cancer cases worldwide rose from 1.82 million in 1990 to 3.26 million in 2019.
Breast cancer accounted for the largest number of cases – 13.7 per every 100,000 people.
NHS bosses have long argued they are seeing more patients than ever as part of the fight against cancer.
For instance, urgent referrals have doubled in a decade, largely down to government awareness campaigns urging patients to come forward with suspected symptoms.
Such programmes include pop-up diagnostic centres in shopping centres, car parks and football grounds.
But despite the importance of fast access to diagnosis and treatment in improving outcomes, cancer performance figures show the NHS is still failing or only just managing to meet targets.
Just 62.2 per cent of newly-diagnosed cancer patients referred for urgent treatment were seen within 62 days — the target is 85 per cent.
In human terms, this means over 74,000 patients were left waiting longer than two months to start treatment.
Meanwhile, only 91.5 per cent of patients started treatment within 31 days of being booked in December, below the goal of 96 per cent.
The health service target of telling at least 75 per cent of patients with suspected cancer they do or don’t have the disease was met for the third month running, logging a figure of 78.1 per cent.
