This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/5391410.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Breast cancer cases have soared Breast cancer cases have soared
(40 minutes later)
The number of breast cancer cases has rocketed in the last three decades, but death rates are falling, figures show.The number of breast cancer cases has rocketed in the last three decades, but death rates are falling, figures show.
The data from the Office for National Statistics showed that from 1971 to 2004 the number of cases of the disease rose by 81% to 36,939 cases in England.The data from the Office for National Statistics showed that from 1971 to 2004 the number of cases of the disease rose by 81% to 36,939 cases in England.
But deaths from the disease have fallen by a fifth since 1989 to 12,417 due to better treatment and earlier detection.But deaths from the disease have fallen by a fifth since 1989 to 12,417 due to better treatment and earlier detection.
Experts said the rise in cases was being fuelled by lifestyle changes and the start of national screening.Experts said the rise in cases was being fuelled by lifestyle changes and the start of national screening.
MOST COMMON FEMALE CANCERS Breast - 36,939 cases (31.9% of total)Bowel - 13,020 cases (11.2%)Lung - 12,337 cases (10.7%)MOST COMMON FEMALE CANCERS Breast - 36,939 cases (31.9% of total)Bowel - 13,020 cases (11.2%)Lung - 12,337 cases (10.7%)
Factors such as obesity and drinking alcohol are known to increase the risk of a woman getting breast cancer.Factors such as obesity and drinking alcohol are known to increase the risk of a woman getting breast cancer.
The ageing population is also a factor, but this was taken into account by ONS statisticians when compiling the figures.
But Mark Matfield, scientific consultant for the Association for International Cancer Research, said the fact that women were having smaller families and breast-feeding less also played a part.But Mark Matfield, scientific consultant for the Association for International Cancer Research, said the fact that women were having smaller families and breast-feeding less also played a part.
"It is hard to pin down exactly what has caused this rise. These lifestyle factors are having a significant impact, but so has the introduction of the national screening programme in the late 1980s."It is hard to pin down exactly what has caused this rise. These lifestyle factors are having a significant impact, but so has the introduction of the national screening programme in the late 1980s.
NutritionNutrition
"Better nutrition also mean the age of the first period is falling and this increases risk later in life."Better nutrition also mean the age of the first period is falling and this increases risk later in life.
"It is a complex picture.""It is a complex picture."
Sir Richard Peto, a cancer expert at Oxford University, warned against reading too much into the rises in the number of cases.
MOST COMMON MALE CANCERS Prostate - 29,406 cases (25% of total)Lung - 18,071 cases (15.3%)Bowel - 15,817 cases (13.4%)MOST COMMON MALE CANCERS Prostate - 29,406 cases (25% of total)Lung - 18,071 cases (15.3%)Bowel - 15,817 cases (13.4%)
The ageing population is also a factor, but this was taken into account by ONS statisticians when compiling the figures. "Incidence is not reliable, it fluctuates depending on how well you measure it and record it.
"The thing that matters most is the decreases in the deaths."
The figures also showed that breast cancer accounted for one in three newly diagnosed cases of cancer in females. Bowel and lung cancer where the next most common.The figures also showed that breast cancer accounted for one in three newly diagnosed cases of cancer in females. Bowel and lung cancer where the next most common.
For men, prostate cancer was the most common, accounting for 25% of the total number of cancers. Lung and bowel cancer were the next most prevalent.For men, prostate cancer was the most common, accounting for 25% of the total number of cancers. Lung and bowel cancer were the next most prevalent.
Prostate cancer in particular has shown a sharp increase since 1990, doubling to 98 cases per 100,000 due to better testing methods.Prostate cancer in particular has shown a sharp increase since 1990, doubling to 98 cases per 100,000 due to better testing methods.