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UK’s Deadliest Cancer
Based on the population’s average life expectancy, that translates to almost 500,000 years.
According to an estimate by Cancer Research UK (CRUK), 2.3 million years of life are lost worldwide to cancer every year.
In addition to breast cancer, which claimed approximately 197,000 years of life, bowel cancer came in second on the list, taking roughly 214,000 years of life in its wake. Lung cancer is the deadliest which took the top spot.
In the UK, the illnesses claim the lives of between 16,000 and 11,500 persons each year.
In comparison to oesophageal cancer, which claimed 8,000 lives in 114,000 years, pancreatic cancer caused 127,000 years of wasted time and 9,000 deaths.
The Queen Mary University of London’s Dr. Judith Offman, the study’s author, said: “This analysis allows us to see the impact cancer has on patients and their families, and the precious time that is lost as a result.”
“This new analysis is a stark reminder of the impact cancer has on so many people’s lives in the UK today,” said Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of CRUK.
“Behind statistics are people affected by cancer, and these years of life lost are missed chances to reach milestones and spend precious time with loved ones.”
Data on mortality from 1988 to 1992 and 2013 to 2017 were examined by experts.
They calculated the number of years lost to cancer using the average life expectancy for the general population and the age at which cancer patients passed away as a result of their illness.
“Using years of life lost over a 30-year period provides a different lens to evaluate where health policies and medical advancements have worked and highlights areas where more needs to be done,” said Dr. Offman.
“Research like this is instrumental in helping leaders in health and politics make the best decisions for patients and their loved ones.”
One in two people will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime, according to the NHS.
Every year, 167,000 people die and 375,000 new cases are diagnosed.
In the UK, the four most common types of the disease are breast, lung, prostate, and bowel cancer.
What Is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is also known as lung carcinoma. It is a malignant tumor that begins in the lung. It is caused by genetic damage to the DNA of cells in the airways, often caused by cigarette smoking or inhaling damaging chemicals.
Damaged airway cells gain the ability to multiply unchecked, causing the growth of a tumor. Without it being treated, the tumors spread throughout the lung, damaging lung function. Eventually, lung tumors metastasize and spread to other parts of the body.
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Lung cancer is a cancer that starts in the lungs.
Lung cancer may spread from the lungs to the lymph nodes or other organs in the body, such as the brain. Cancer from other organs may also spread to the lungs.
Symptoms of lung cancer
More than 43,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year in the UK.
It is one of the most common and serious forms of the disease and kills around 35,000 Brits annually.
In the early stages, people often experience no symptoms, meaning it is hard to identify.
But many sufferers will eventually notice some of the following signs:
- A persistent cough
- Coughing up blood
- Repeated chest infections
- Persistent breathlessness
- Unexplained tiredness or lack of energy
- Explained weight loss
- An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- A loss of appetite
other symptoms include:
- Changes in the appearance of your fingers (e.g. becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger)
- A high temperature (of 38C or above)
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- Wheezing
- A hoarse voice
- Swelling of your face or neck
- Persistent shoulder pain
- Headache
- Pains in the bone
- Fever
