People in Devon are statistically the most likely in England to be diagnosed with cancer, according to newly published NHS data.
NHS England’s 2023 Cancer Services report said there were just over 9,000 new cases of cancer in the area, giving a rate of 716 new cases of the disease per 100,000 people in one year.
This was more than double the rate in North East London, which had the lowest rate of the disease in the country at 318 cases of cancer per 100,000 people.
Nationally, England recorded more than 340,000 new cases of cancer between April 2022 and March 2023, a rate of 548 per 100,000 people, according to the latest available data.
This is the highest number and number of diagnoses since 2009/2010.
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly came second, with 715 cases of the disease per 100,000 inhabitants, just below Devon.
Dorset joined the other two south-west areas in coming third with 714 cases of cancer per 100,000 people.
The lowest cancer rates in the country were all seen in north London.
NHS England’s 2023 Cancer Services report stated that Devon had just over 9,000 new cases of cancer, giving a rate of 716 cases of the disease per 100,000 people. Pictured Exmouth in Devon
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This graph shows the number of cancer cases per 100,000 in England over time. Cases took a huge dip during the height of the pandemic. This is widely attributed to reduced cancer screening during lockdowns and the general disruption of regular NHS services during the height of Covid.
After the north-east of the capital, the north-west recorded 329 cases of cancer per 100,000 people, followed by north-central London with 363 cases per 100,000 people.
Experts told MailOnline that the difference in cancer rates across the country is likely due to the demographics of people living in some areas, which puts them at greater risk of developing cancer.
Professor Karol Sikora, a retired oncologist and former director of the World Health Organisation’s cancer programme, said: ‘It’s all in the age of population.
‘Cities on the south coast have many older residents, who are at a much higher risk of cancer, compared to urban areas such as London, which have a younger population.’
It is well known that the risk of cancer is closely linked to age, as damage in cells that can cause the disease accumulates over time.
Data from Cancer Research UK shows that Britons aged 50 to 74 account for just over half of new diagnoses of the disease each year.
Those over 75 years old represent a significant proportion of the remaining cases – just over a third.
And Britons aged 85 to 89 are most likely to develop cancer.
The cancer rate among men of this age is almost 3,500 per 100,000 people, while the rate among women is lower, at about 2,250 per 100,000.
This is not to say that cancer does not occur in younger people.
Although still in the minority, experts are concerned about the recent increase in cancer rates in young people compared to historical levels, especially in colon cancer.
Regardless of age, doctors are urging Britons to look out for the symptoms of cancer, such as a new, sudden lump in the body, unexplained bleeding and changes in bowel habits.
Other signs of cancer vary by type of disease, but may include unexplained weight loss, a cough that lasts three weeks or more, bloating, new or changing moles, stomach or back pain, yellowish skin, and fatigue.