Britain’s cancer rates improve while Denmark scores poorly

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDJan 23 2011

It appears that warnings regarding dangers of smoking appear to be having an effect with the UK placed in 22nd position in a world league of highest cancer rates. Figures show that for men, 280 cases per 100,000 people, is 33rd in the world, with France the highest. The rate for British women, however, is 260.5 per 100,000 – the world’s 12th highest, with Denmark top. The UK breast cancer rate for women, which is just over 89, ranks 11th.

The study names Denmark as the world’s “cancer capital”, was compiled by the World Cancer Research Fund, (WCRF), a London-based charity. The figures are based on analysis of World Health Organization data. Denmark has a rate of just over 326 cases per 100,000, followed by Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The UK is 22nd with just under 276. The figures are age adjusted.

According to the government’s cancer adviser, Professor Mike Richards, these figures reflect Britain’s early tackling of its “tobacco epidemic” compared with other countries. While in the past about half Britain's cancer deaths were linked to smoking, now less than a third were, he said. These figures come as heartening news after a government-commissioned research last month showed that UK lagged behind other countries in diagnosis and treatment.

Martin Wiseman, the charity’s medical and scientific adviser, said, “Lifestyle changes can make a real difference to people’s risk. Scientists estimate that about a third of the most common cancers in the UK and other high-income countries could be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, being more physically active and eating more healthily. Of course, not smoking will have an important effect beyond that, as will having sunburn.”

Professor Richards added, “The peak of cancer rates for men was in the early 1970s, and for women, who took up smoking later, there was a peak in the 1990s… The reason we are so far down the list is we are now so far past our peak prevalence of smoking-related cancers…I am encouraged by what I see for men. For women [the rate] is still too high but I am confident our picture will improve for both. As smoking rates come down, things like alcohol and obesity are highly important.” About 10 million adults in the UK now smoke: 22% of men and 21% of women. This compares with 51% of men and 41% of women in 1974.

According to Sarah Woolnough, director of policy at Cancer Research UK, “Age is the biggest risk factor for cancer, so high-income countries where people live for longer will tend to have higher incidence rates. However, we do know that up to half of all cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle such as giving up smoking, keeping a healthy weight and cutting down on alcohol.”

The Danish Cancer Society and the secretariat for Nordcan, collecting data for Nordic countries, said, “Unfortunately it is true that Danish women have very high cancer rates. Among the reasons are tobacco, alcohol, sun habits and very complete registration…Danish women are famous for very high tobacco smoking. From the 1970s, the percentage of women smoking is nearly at the same level as among men. Unfortunately Denmark also has a very bad cancer survival rate, nearly as bad as in the UK – and co-morbidity caused by alcohol and tobacco has a big influence.”

The only non-European countries in the top 20 for overall cancer rates are Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, Israel, French Polynesia and Uruguay.