Cancer death rates have fallen by 11% in the North West, Cancer Research UK have revealed on World Cancer Day.
The number of individuals dying after a cancer diagnosis per 100,000 has dropped from 350 in 2003 to 310 last year, with research leading to better prospects for patients due to improved knowledge about preventing the disease, surgical techniques and more effective drugs.
However, there is much work still to be done, and Cancer Research are encouraging people to give generously on February 4, as despite this progress, more people are now dying from the disease, due to the ageing population.
And Alison Barbuti, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the Greater Manchester, asked people to show solidarity with the charity by wearing a Unity Band, while insisting that ‘we can beat cancer’.
“It’s important to remember that even though the death rates are falling, the overall number of people dying from cancer is expected to increase,” she said.
“This is because the population is growing and more of us are living longer. Too many people are still being diagnosed with and dying from cancer, not just here in the North West, but across the UK and around the globe.
“World Cancer Day provides an opportunity for people in our region, all across the UK and beyond, to ‘band together’ for this one special day and show that united we can beat cancer sooner.
“Thanks to research more people are surviving cancer than ever – but there is still a great deal of work to be done to ensure that more families can stay together for longer.
“Wearing a Unity Band is a simple way to show your support and be part of the generation that transforms the lives of the millions of people affected by cancer.
“Together we can all do something to reduce the impact of this devastating disease.”
The Unity Bands are being sold by Cancer Research as well as their three partners in the scheme – Breast Cancer Care, Anthony Nolan and the Movember Foundation – and will be on sale various stockists, including special World Cancer day collections at Manchester Piccadilly and Tesco Middleton.
To find out more about World Cancer Day, click here.
Image courtesy of Cancer Research UK, via Youtube, with thanks
