Women treated for 'harmless' cancer
Updated on 10 July 2009
As deaths from common cancers drop to their lowest level in 40 years a study also suggests that many women have unnecessary breast cancer treatment.
The number of people dying from three of the most common forms of cancer has fallen to its lowest level in almost 40 years.
A new analysis of figures by Cancer Research UK indicates that deaths from breast, bowel and male lung cancer are at their lowest rates since 1971.
Breast cancer deaths among women peaked in 1989 at 15,625 but fell to 11,990 in 2007, according to the data. This is equivalent to a drop in mortality rates of 36 per cent.
Bowel cancer deaths among both sexes peaked in 1992 at 19,598, but fell to 16,007 in 2007 - a 31 per cent drop in mortality rates.
Meanwhile, the number of men dying from lung cancer peaked in 1979 at 30,391 but dropped to 19,637 in 2007 - equivalent to a drop in mortality rates of 53 per cent.
However, another study published today suggests that many women are having unnecessary treatment for breast cancer because screening is detecting cancers which are not harmful, as well as those which could be fatal.
One in three breast cancers detected by screening may actually be harmless, researchers said today.
Dr Julie Sharp from Cancer Research UK spoke to Carl Dinnen about the studies.
