The fast life kills

Despite decades of health warnings, researchers have observed that smoking, drinking and sunbathing are still linked to a rapid increase of cancer cases.

Other diseases linked to unhealthy lifestyles, such as obesity, are also on the rise, according to new figures released by Cancer Research UK today.

There is a 40 per cent increase of melanoma cases making it the fastest rising cancer in the UK.

Mouth, womb, and kidney cancer rates have also escalated in the last 10 years.

Cancer Research UK is worried about these increases as some cases of the cancers are potentially avoidable - their research suggests that around half of all cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle.

Published by Cancer Research UK and the UK Association of Cancer Registries (UKACR), the figures show that although rates of malignant melanoma are higher in women and have doubled since the mid-80s, rates have tripled in men in the same period.

Suffering in the sun

Heavy sun exposure accounts for the vast majority of cases.

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's director of health information, said: "We're very concerned that cases of malignant melanoma are spiralling. Exposure to UV radiation in sunlight is the main cause of skin cancer. Most cases of this disease could be prevented if people protected themselves in the sun and took care not to burn."

Scientists believe smoking doubles the risk of kidney cancer but suggest that the risk of developing the disease falls when people give up smoking.In response to the increase by almost a quarter in the incidence of mouth cancer, Hoim said: "Most cases of mouth cancer occur in people who smoke or chew tobacco and regularly drink alcohol. As well as encouraging people to reduce their risk of mouth cancer, our priority is to raise awareness of the early warning signs of the disease, as this helps doctors find cancers at an early stage when treatment is easier and there is a good chance of a cure."

Rates of kidney cancer have increased by more than 10 per cent over the past decade with smoking and being overweight two of the major risk factors for this disease.

Scientists believe smoking doubles the risk of kidney cancer but suggest that the risk of developing the disease falls when people give up smoking.

Lucy Morrish, statistical information manager at Cancer Research UK, who compiled the figures, said: "While incidence rates for some cancers have fallen over the past decade, others are rising and many of these cases could be prevented if people avoided excessive sun exposure, smoking and obesity and limited their alcohol intake. Our Reduce the Risk campaign actively encourages people to learn how they can lead healthier lives and cut their risk of developing cancer."

On a more positive note, the UK’s leading cancer charity reported that rates of cervical cancers are falling as a result of the national screening programme, and due to successful smoking cessation campaigns, lung cancer rates are continuing to decrease, especially in men.

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