When it comes to cancer, humanity is facing a "win some, lose some" deal.
In a new study reported by Cancer Research UK, one in every two people will be diagnosed with cancer. This is a grimmer prognosis to one in three, which was the initial estimate.
There are three possible reasons for the rise of cancer. One is old age. More people are able to live a lot longer despite the many chronic diseases due to science and technology. Second is aging: the more people age, the higher the risk of cancer becomes. Third is attributed to lifestyle, which includes smoking and obesity.
Moreover, based on the research, men born in 1960 have a much higher chance of developing cancer at more than 53% compared to around 48% among women who are born around the same time. On the average, however, babies born in 1960 may have at little over 50% chance of having cancer some time in their lives. The risk, meanwhile, is significantly higher for those who were born after 1960.
Although the chances of eradicating cancer sounds impossible based on this recent study, there's some glimmer of hope. The rate of survival has also increased, which means those who have cancer are able to live the disease for a longer period of time. Based on estimates, about 50% of cancer patients can live for at least 10 years. Cancer patients who continue to live 5 years after diagnosis and treatment are usually considered cancer free.
The researchers also like to point out that many factors affect risks and survival rates of cancer besides old age. These include genetic predisposition, height, weight, and lifestyle. For instance, an increased and regular consumption of red meat may make a person more vulnerable to bowel cancer. Smoking, on the other hand, can cause lung and throat cancers.
The main challenge for the National Health Services and the research team is to how to improve survival rates through early detection, care improvement, and management of preventable cancers.