Cancer statistics

Here we provide the latest cancer statistics for the UK, as well as what proportion of cancer cases could be prevented.

Cancer incidence

In the UK in 2017, 366,303 cases of cancer were diagnosed. Of these cancer cases, 186,883 were in men, and 179,420 were in women¹. 1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes².

Cancer mortality

In the UK in 2017, there were 165,267 cancer deaths. Of these deaths, 88,027 were men and 77,240 were women.

Preventable cancers

Overall, scientists estimate that around 40 per cent of cancer cases could be prevented. That's around 147,000 cases every year in the UK. Eating a healthy diet, being more active each day and maintaining a healthy weight are important ways you can reduce your cancer risk.

¹Cancer statistics based on combined data from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland. World Cancer Research Fund, 2020.

²Smittenaar CR, Petersen KA, Stewart K, Moitt N. Cancer incidence and mortality projections in the UK until 2035. Br J Cancer 2016 Oct 25;115(9):1147-1155