Cancer incidence and mortality: trends in the United Kingdom and constituent countries, 1993 to 2004.

This article examines trends in cancer in the UK and constituent countries over the period 1993-2004 for all cancers combined and the four most common cancers: breast, prostate, lung and colorectal. The results show that the UK male incidence rate increased for prostate cancer, and decreased for lung cancer. The UK female incidence rate increased for breast cancer, and decreased for colorectal cancer. The UK mortality rates fell for the three most common cancers in males, and for breast and colorectal in females. These results provide insight into current trends in incidence and mortality to enable services to be directed appropriately.