Cancer Statistics
History of Research and Development
For many years, Scots have invested time and money into researching the causes of and cures for cancer. Over the last 100 years a number of major advances have been achieved. The work which will take place at the Beatson Translational Research Centre will strive to continue this world class research.
Thirty years ago, nearly three quarters of people diagnosed with cancer died within five years. But the death rate from cancer has dropped significantly - 17% in the last ten years alone, so that now almost half of all people diagnosed live for at least five years, with the vast majority of those living for ten years or more.
Five-year survival for cancer patients, relative to the life expectancy of the population in general, increased from 25% for males diagnosed in 1977-81 to 41% for males diagnosed 1997-2001, and from 36% to 50% for females. This represents a substantial and significant improvement in the probability of surviving cancer in the long term.
This is due to a number of factors including:
Consistent co-ordinated research into cancer, its causes and treatments leading to:
- Improved prevention (eg: smoking)
- Early diagnosis
- Better treatments