One in three people will develop cancer during their lifetime. However, the disease is not common in children or young people, with over 70% of all newly diagnosed cancers being in people aged 60 years or more - although potentially it can and does occur at any age.

The four most common cancers in the UK in 2002 (the most recent year statistics available) were breast cancer, lung cancer, bowel cancer and prostate cancer.

UK incidence rates (2002) for the four most common cancers:

UK mortality rates (2004) for the four most common cancers:

Age at death

Over one in four (27%) deaths is caused by cancer, although the mortality rates have dropped by 11% over the last ten years. More than 75% of deaths from cancer occur in people aged over 65.