Survival rates in UK for two lethal cancers lower than in comparable countries, research shows

Experts say UK ‘lags behind’ as OECD finds poor outcomes for many diagnosed with colon and lung cancers

People in the UK who are diagnosed with the two most lethal forms of cancer die sooner than those in many other comparable countries, a new study has found.

Research by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed the UK ranked a lowly 31st out of 43 countries for how many people survive at least five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

UK spending on cancer will rise from £14.4bn to more than £23bn by 2050 because the ageing population will lead to more people being diagnosed.

Cancer will cause one in four deaths of people under the age of 75 between now and 2050.

170,000 people at any one time cannot work because they have cancer.