A dramatic rise in the number of over-65s living with breast cancer is
certain to put a strain on the NHS, new research says.
The number of women aged 65 or over living with breast cancer is set to
rise to more than 1.2 million by 2040. New research from King's College London
claims today's figure of 340,000 will quadruple in the next 30 years. At
present, 59% of all breast cancer survivors are over the age of 65 but the
research, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, suggests that this figure will
increase to 73% by 2040.
The data, published in the British Journal of Cancer, also suggests that
by 2040 breast cancer will account for more than half of all cancer cases in
women in the UK. Ciaran Devane, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support,
said: "The NHS needs to take heed of these figures. "It is already
struggling to provide adequate care for older breast cancer patients. "We
need to change the way we care for older breast cancer patients now - so that
we are prepared for such a dramatic increase in numbers."
Dr Rachel Greig, senior policy officer at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said:
"It is startling to think that we could have a million older women living
with breast cancer within a generation. "It shows that we have a rapidly
ageing population - but also that we are getting much better at treating women
with breast cancer. "However, increasingly we should think less about the
age of patients, and more about their individual need."
Yahoo Lifestyle
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