Cancer death rates in Wales still high in deprived areas

The Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit (WCISU) found that cancer was the leading cause of death in Wales in 2024, accounting for a quarter of all fatalities.

Lung, bowel, prostate, and female breast cancers made up 43 per cent of cancer deaths, with lung cancer alone accounting for 19 per cent.

There has been a steady decline in lung cancer deaths among men over the past two decades but female mortality rates have remained largely unchanged, reflecting the complex interaction between historical smoking patterns, late-stage diagnoses and improved survival rates.

In 2024, cancer death rates were 52 per cent higher in the most deprived areas of Wales compared to the least.

More than half of cancer-related deaths were in individuals aged 75 and over, which has been steadily increasing from 48 per cent in 2002 to 57 per cent in 2024.

Professor Dyfed Wyn Huws, director of WCISU, said: "This latest data analysis highlights the importance of sustained efforts in prevention, early diagnosis and access to treatments, and tackling health inequalities.

"This includes uptake of bowel and breast cancer screening – and soon lung cancer screening – as well as improved access to GP referrals for people already with symptoms of suspected cancer.

"But we know from our previous research that up to four in ten cases of cancer in Wales are potentially preventable."

Professor Huws expressed concern about the stark inequalities in cancer mortality, with no real improvement from 2002 to 2024.

"In too many parts of Wales, the building blocks of health and wellbeing - such as healthy homes, good jobs, enough money to pay bills, connections with people in our communities, education and skills, and safe and clean environments - are not strong enough or are missing altogether," he said.

"This leads to poorer health and lives being cut short, creating or worsening health inequalities."