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. 2009 Aug 4;101(3):541-7.
doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605148. Epub 2009 Jun 30.

Cancer prevalence in the United Kingdom: estimates for 2008

J Maddams  1 , D Brewster, A Gavin, J Steward, J Elliott, M Utley, H Møller
Affiliations

Cancer prevalence in the United Kingdom: estimates for 2008

J Maddams et al. Br J Cancer. .

Abstract

Background: Identifying and addressing the requirements of cancer survivors is currently a high priority for the NHS, yet little is known about the population of cancer survivors in the United Kingdom.

Methods: Data from cancer registries in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales were analysed to provide limited-duration prevalence estimates for 2004. Log-linear regression models were used to extend these to complete prevalence estimates. Trends in prevalence from 2000 to 2004 were used to project complete prevalence estimates forward from 2004 to 2008.

Results: We estimated that in total, there were 2 million cancer survivors in the United Kingdom at the end of 2008, approximately 3% of the population overall and 1 in 8 of those aged 65 years and more. Prostate and female breast cancers were the most prevalent. The number of cancer survivors is increasing by approximately 3% each year. Estimates are also provided by time since diagnosis.

Conclusion: These estimates are the most up-to-date available, and as such will be useful for statutory and voluntary sector organisations that are responsible for planning and providing treatment and support to cancer survivors in the United Kingdom.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Proportion of total incidence1, mortality2 and prevalence3 that is accounted for by selected cancers. (A) Males; (B) females. 1Incidence in England, 2006; data from National Cancer Information Service (NCIS); 2Mortality in England, 2005; data from NCIS; 3Prevalence in the United Kingdom, 2008.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Prevalence of cancer in the United Kingdom on 31 December 2004, by number of years since diagnosis and age. (A) Males: colon, rectum and anus; (B) females: colon, rectum and anus; (C) males: lung, bronchus and trachea; (D) females: lung, bronchus and trachea; (E) prostate; (F) females: breast. Prevalence of cancer in the United Kingdom on 31 December 2004: the sum of observed prevalence was available from national cancer registry data, whereas modelled prevalence was not.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Trends and projections of limited-duration cancer prevalence in the United Kingdom, 2000–2008. (A) Males: colon, rectum and anus; (B) females: colon, rectum and anus; (C) males: lung, bronchus and trachea; (D) females: lung, bronchus and trachea; (E) prostate; (F) females: breast; (G) All malignant neoplasms1; males. (H) All malignant neoplasms1; females; 1Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (ICD-10 C44).
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