Regional divide in cancer
A north-south divide exists in rates of cancers strongly connected to smoking or alcohol consumption, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
An area across the north of England and central Scotland had an above average rate of cancers of the lung, larynx, pharynx, lip and mouth, while the south of England and the Midlands had below average incidences and deaths of these diseases.
Wealth also appears to be a cancer indicator, with the most deprived areas of the UK having cancer incidence and death rates three times higher than the most affluent areas.
Dr Mike Quinn, co-author of the ‘cancer atlas’, believes the study shows that there is notable scope in which to cut cancer rates in the UK.
“It should be possible by reducing the rates everywhere to those in areas with among the lowest rates, to prevent or avoid 25,000 cases of cancer and 17,000 deaths each year,” he said.
