Cancer in the UK Flashcards
(22 cards)
Key facts about cancer in the UK
Approximately 166,000 deaths occur annually due to cancer.
There are nearly 375,000 new cases every year.
Cancer rates in the UK have risen nearly one percent since the 1990s.
Cancer rates in other countries compared to the UK
Less Developed Countries (LDCs), such as Mali, have low cancer rates.
Developed Countries (ACs), such as the United States, have higher but similar rates to the UK.
Socio economic causes of cancer
The primary socio-economic causes are linked to lifestyle choices:
Obesity
Poor diet
Smoking
Alcohol consumption
Sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise)
Since the 1970s, cancer rates have increased by 23% in men and 43% in women due to these factors.
Disposable Income and Cancer
Increased disposable income can lead to lifestyle changes that elevate cancer risk:
Diet: With more money, people tend to consume more meat, dairy, ready meals, and foods high in saturated fats.
Alcohol and Smoking: Increased spending on alcohol and smoking leads to specific cancers, such as lung and liver cancer.
Lifestyle: Affording cars leads to a more sedentary lifestyle, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity.
Holidays and Skin
Going on holidays to warmer countries increases sun exposure and the risk of skin cancer. Cornwall, a popular holiday destination in the UK, has higher skin cancer rates due to this.
Cultural Impacts
Cultural preferences and beauty standards influence cancer rates:
Modern Beauty Standards: The desire for a tan leads to sunbathing and the use of sun beds, increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Historically, paler skin was preferred, reducing the risk of skin cancer.
Economic Impacts
Cost to the Economy: Cancer costs the UK economy £15 billion a year.
Absenteeism: Patients are often absent from work, reducing economic productivity.
NHS Costs: The National Health Service (NHS) spends a lot on treating cancer patients.
Reduced Productivity: Premature deaths reduce long-term economic productivity and tax revenue.
Unpaid Care: Family members, often women, take time off work to care for cancer patients.
Cancer at a personal level
Financial Strain: Cancer patients are nearly £570 per month worse off due to added costs.
Hiring help at home.
Costs of going to appointments.
Increased heating costs.
Prescription medicines.
Spatiaal variations
Cancer rates vary geographically, with higher rates in more deprived areas:
Disparities: There are 20,000 more cancer cases in deprived areas than in less deprived areas.
Outcomes: People in deprived areas are more likely to die from cancer.
For example, bowel cancer survival rates are 60% in the least deprived areas but only 40% in the most deprived areas.
Historical context
Historical Context
Higher cancer rates in deprived areas are linked to industrial history:
Industrial Areas: The Northeast, Northwest of England, and South Wales have higher cancer rates due to historical industrial activity.
North-South Divide: London and the South have lower rates due to lower deprivation levels.
Deprivation Factors
Deprivation Factors
Specific factors in deprived areas contribute to higher cancer rates:
Smoking Rates: Higher smoking rates are a common coping mechanism.
Screening: Less likely to get screened early due to lack of resources.
Physical Activity: Fewer opportunities for physical activity, leading to sedentary lifestyles and obesity.
Barriers: Difficulty taking time off work for appointments.
Government strategies
Government Strategies
The government aims to save 5,000 lives a year by mitigating cancer through direct and indirect strategies:
Direct Strategies:
Advanced Medical Technology: Using endoscopes for better detection and more precise treatments like radiotherapy.
Free Mass Screenings: Offering free screenings for bowel, cervical, and breast cancer.
Effectiveness
To improve effectiveness:
Reduce waiting times between diagnosis and treatment.
Increase funding for the NHS to alleviate pressure.## 🧑⚕️ Direct vs. Indirect Strategies in Public Health
+s and -s of Direct strategies
Involve immediate action to improve survival rates or address a disease.
Example: Cancer research, aimed at understanding diseases and developing new treatments and drugs.
Weakness: Relies on funding from charities like Cancer Research UK, which is dependent on voluntary donations and legacies that can vary year to year.
Indirect strategies
Focus on education and campaigns to influence behavior and promote awareness.
Change4Life Campaign
Introduced in 2009 by Public Health England to reduce obesity by changing people’s lifestyle choices.
Provides recipe ideas, activities, and advice, especially for children.
Success: 4 million families have signed up since 2009.
Criticism: Despite the campaign, obesity rates have continued to rise.
Increased from 23% in 2009 to 28% of the population over 16.
Childhood obesity rates have not significantly decreased.
This shows the limits of what these campaigns can do.
“Be Clear on Cancer” Campaign
Public Health England campaign focused on early detection of cancer
Aims to educate people to recognize cancer symptoms early, encouraging them to seek medical attention sooner.
This can lead to earlier treatment and better outcomes.
Government Tackling of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer cases have significantly increased, rising nearly 3% every year.
Direct Methods
Surgery: Physical removal of the cancerous tissue.
Chemotherapy: Using intravenous medication to target and destroy cancer cells.
Indirect Methods
Focus on prevention and awareness to reduce risk factors.
Includes new laws and legislation surrounding sunbed use.
Sunbed Regulations
Age Restrictions: Individuals under 18 are prohibited from using sunbeds.
Supervision: Tanning salons must have trained staff to supervise sunbed use.
Standards: Government-implemented standards to restrict usage levels and duration.
Public Awareness Campaigns
Educate people about the dangers of sunbathing.
Promote protective measures such as covering up and using sunscreen.
Encourage self-assessment for early detection of symptoms.
Met Office UV Level Warnings
During the summer, the Met Office issues UV level warnings, often on the news and weather forecasts.
Provides guidance on safe practices and precautions to take based on UV levels.
Aims to educate the public about the risks and encourage protective behavior.
While these indirect methods can be ignored, they serve as an attempt to educate the population about potential risks.
