UK cancer map shows way to save 17,000 lives a year

By Tim Castle

LONDON (Reuters) – More than 17,000 cancer deaths could be
prevented each year in the UK and Ireland if lifestyles and
healthcare were improved in the most deprived areas, according
to a study Tuesday.

Socially deprived areas in the north of England and central
Scotland have a higher than average occurrence and death rate
for cancers of the lung, lip, mouth and pharynx, according to a
“cancer atlas” published by the Office for National Statistics.

These conditions, all associated with smoking, alcohol
abuse and poor diet, were found with lower than average rates
in the prosperous south and midlands of England.

“People in deprived areas are more likely to get some types
of cancer and their survival from most types of cancer is
lower,” said National Cancer Director Mike Richards in a
foreword to the study.

“This atlas highlights those cancers and areas where
further education, provision of services, or attention to the
environment — in the broadest sense, including diet — could
markedly reduce the number of cancer cases and deaths.”

Stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol would have the
greatest effect on cancer death rates, said the report, which
based its findings on data from 1991 to 2000.

It estimated around 17,450 cancer deaths a year could be
prevented, of which 8,600 would be from cancer of the lung, and
5,720 from cancers of the bladder, stomach, oesophagus, lip,
mouth, larynx, pancreas and bladder.

Around 90 percent of lung cancer cases are attributable to
smoking, the report said, while smoking, along with
alcohol-abuse and poor diet, are the main risk factors for the
other cancers.

If these reductions were achieved, just 15 health
authorities in the north of England and Scotland would account
for a third of all the extra lives saved across the UK and
Ireland.

The Department of Health said the report’s data would help
the government’s own Cancer Plan which was published in 2000.

“It is crucial that preventative actions to help people
lead a healthy lifestyle are implemented first in those areas
where prevalence of cancer is particularly high,” a Department
of Health spokeswoman said.