The number of people in the UK diagnosed with cancer will rise by a third by 2040, taking the number of new cases every year to more than half a million, figures show.
If current trends continue, cancer cases will rise from the 384,000 per year now to 506,000 in 2040, according to Cancer Research UK analysis.
And the charity said the “NHS risks being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new cancer diagnoses” unless the government takes action.
Cancer Research UK’s chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: “Today’s analysis provides a stark reminder of the challenges the NHS in England is set to face in years to come.
“Cancer patients are already facing unacceptably long waits for diagnosis and treatment, and staff in cancer services are working very hard.
“On World Cancer Day, we are demanding that the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak provides long-term, lasting solutions to ensure cancer survival dramatically improves in England.
“A 10-year cancer plan that will prepare cancer services for the future, give people affected by cancer the care they deserve and the resources – people and equipment – the NHS needs, is essential.”
While most of the rise is due to an ageing population (older people are more likely to get cancer), the charity also said issues such as obesity are contributing to the rise.
Around four in 10 cancer cases are preventable, with the two biggest preventable causes being smoking and being overweight or obese.
Cancer Research UK figures also estimate there will be 208,000 overall cancer deaths in the UK each year by 2040 – an increase of almost a quarter from the 167,000 seen now.
In total, there could be 8.4 million new cases of cancer and 3.5 million cancer deaths in the UK between 2023 and 2040.
Some 60% of cases (up from 50% now) and 76% of deaths will be in people aged 70 and over, it added.
The charity said action was needed to prevent more cancers, to diagnose and treat cancers faster, invest in research and innovation, and address the “chronic” staff and equipment shortages within the NHS.
It said the UK was not on track to meet its target of creating a Smokefree England by 2030, while junk food marketing restrictions have been “pushed back” even further by the government.
If you are an NHS worker and would like to share your experiences with us anonymously, please email NHSstories@sky.uk
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Timesthe properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
TV presenter Katie Piper has revealed her decision to get an artificial eye, 16 years after an acid attack that left her with life-changing injuries and partial blindness.
The Loose Women panellist, 41, is an advocate for those with burns and disfigurement injuries.
She shared a video of her being fitted with the prosthetic on Instagram.
Piper said: “After many years battling with my eye health, I’ve reached the end of the road somewhat, and the decision has been made to try a prosthetic eye shell.
“This marks the start of a journey to have an artificial eye, with an incredible medical team behind me.
“As always I’m incredibly grateful to all those in the NHS and private health care system for their talent and kindness.
“I will share my journey, I’m hopeful and nervous about being able to tolerate it and would love to hear from any of you in the comments if you’ve been on this journey or have any advice.”
More on Katie Piper
Related Topics:
Commenting on the post, presenter Lisa Snowdon said Piper was a “warrior” and a “true inspiration”.
Piper has undergone hundreds of operations after suffering an acid attack arranged by her ex-boyfriend in March 2008.
She gave up her right to anonymity and made a documentary in 2009 called Katie: My Beautiful Face.
Piper also founded the Katie Piper Foundation which supports survivors of life-changing burns and scars, and has received an honorary doctorate from the Royal College of Surgeons to mark her ground-breaking work.
She was made an OBE in 2021 for her services to charity and burn victims.