The number of cancer cases in England has reached a record high, with almost 1,000 people diagnosed every day

Cancer cases have reached a record high, with almost 1,000 people being diagnosed every day, according to the latest NHS figures.

There were 346,217 diagnoses in England in 2022 – 5 percent higher than the 329,664 recorded in 2021.

The increase was largely due to an increase in the detection of prostate cancer, with the number of cases rising by more than a quarter to 54,732.

Cancer registry statistics show that the total number of cancer cases among men increased by 7 percent in 2022, from 167,917 to 180,877. Among women it was an increase of 2 percent, from 161,747 to 165,340.

Although the incidence has increased, death rates from cancer are reportedly declining

“Our work is leading to more people starting treatment quickly, potentially saving lives,” said Dame Cally Palmer of NHS England

Prostate cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2022, and more than half (51 percent) of all new cases were of breast, lung or colon cancer. NHS England said the higher figures were likely partly due to post-pandemic campaigns urging people to get checks they had missed.

The report also states that death rates from cancer are falling, from 345 deaths per 100,000 men in 2011 to 299 per 100,000 in 2022, and in women from 237 deaths per 100,000 in 2011 to 212 deaths per 100,000 in 2022.

Dame Cally Palmer, National Cancer Director at NHS England, said: ‘Our work is leading to more people starting treatment quickly, potentially saving lives.

“Some are still waiting too long to receive a diagnosis or for the all-clear, and more needs to be done to ensure all patients receive high-quality and timely care.”

Figures show that 75.5 percent of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer in August were diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days.