Cancer survival rates improving but cure remains incremental, experts say
8 reported4 unconfirmed
According to a report from The Guardian, cancer survival rates have improved significantly in recent decades, with more than 50 million people alive today after a diagnosis in the last five years, per the World Health Organization. In the UK, cancer mortality rates have decreased by 23% since the early 1970s. However, many forms of the disease still have poor survival rates, and global access to care remains uneven. The Guardian’s health editor Andrew Gregory attended the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago, where over 40,000 cancer experts discussed progress. Gregory noted that scientific discoveries in cancer are “incredibly incremental” and that major advances are rare. The conference highlighted a new daily pill that doubled survival time in a 500-person trial for pancreatic cancer patients, a smart drug that shrank tumors in six common cancers by at least 30% in an 83-patient trial, and observational studies suggesting GLP-1 weight loss medications may reduce cancer risk. Experts cautioned that further research is needed for all these developments.
What’s reported
More than 50 million people are alive today after a cancer diagnosis in the last five years, according to the World Health Organization.
Cancer mortality rates in the UK have decreased by 23% since the early 1970s.
Lung cancer is the most common form globally and the leading cause of death, with 1.8 million people dying each year.
A new daily pill doubled survival time in a 500-person trial for pancreatic cancer patients whose cancer had spread, from about 6.5 months with chemo to about 13.5 months.
A smart drug in early trials shrank tumors by at least 30% in six common cancers among 83 patients who had previously failed to respond to treatment.
Observational studies found GLP-1 medications were associated with a 30% lower risk of developing breast cancer and a 30% reduced risk of death when used alongside standard treatments.
Experts warned of a 100 million person shortfall in the cancer workforce expected by the middle of the century.
A blood test for more than 50 types of cancer failed to achieve its main objective of diagnosing cancer earlier.
Open questions
Whether the new daily pill for pancreatic cancer will lead to a cure or further improvements.
Whether the smart drug will prove effective in larger-scale studies.
Whether GLP-1 medications directly cause reduced cancer risk or if it is a consequence of weight loss.
How long it will take for any of the treatments discussed to become widely available.
Key figures
Andrew Gregory, health editor for The Guardian
Kevin Keegan, football icon (mentioned as receiving cancer treatment)
Kenny Dalglish, football icon (mentioned as receiving cancer treatment)
Sources: The Guardian
