Number of people with cancer in the UK reaches record high of almost 3.5 million

Published: 21 Jan 2025
Leading cancer charity calls for urgent Government action to address ‘unacceptable’ cancer care gap across the UK, as the number of people with cancer rises to new high
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Press office at Macmillan Cancer Support

Leading cancer charity calls for urgent Government action to address ‘unacceptable’ cancer care gap across the UK, as the number of people with cancer rises to new high.

The number of people living with cancer in the UK has surged to almost 3.5 million, the highest figure ever reported for the UK, a leading cancer charity has revealed today. The latest analysis from Macmillan Cancer Support shows there will be almost half a million more people living with cancer in 2025 than there were just five years ago[1].

The charity is warning that as the number of people with cancer continues to rise, many are finding it harder to live with the disease than ever before, and there are significant differences when it comes to people’s experiences of diagnosis, treatment and care. This is causing what Macmillan is calling an ‘unacceptable cancer care gap’ across the UK and the charity is urging the Government to take urgent action to ensure everyone with cancer can access the best care possible, whoever and wherever they are.

In addition, many people’s experiences of cancer seem to be getting worse. For example, recent figures from Macmillan show one in three people with cancer say it’s harder to have cancer now than at ‘any other time they can remember’, with this figure rising to almost half of those who also have a serious disability[2].

Analysis of NHS data also suggests many people with cancer are reporting poorer experiences across several areas of care[3], particularly some people who face the highest risk of health inequalities, such as those with mixed or multiple ethnicities, and those from the LGBTQ+ community[4].

Meanwhile, cancer patients in England who are Black, LGBTQ+, autistic or have other long-term health conditions or a learning disability, are all significantly less likely to get the support they need with their health and wellbeing while receiving hospital treatment, and face more barriers when it comes to involving their friends or families in their care[5].

Ameena Westwood, 53, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. After undergoing a mastectomy and radiotherapy treatment, she was given the all-clear. However, in March of last year, she received the devastating news that her cancer had returned. Ameena, from Smethwick, West Midlands, was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

Ameena said: “As someone who has faced a cancer diagnosis and recurrence, I know that living with cancer is not just about the medical challenges — it’s about navigating a system that doesn’t always meet everyone’s needs equally.

“As someone who is half-Yemeni, I do a lot of work within my own community and others to raise awareness of genetic risk, and the signs and symptoms of cancer. English is my first language, and I’m aware that I can advocate for myself where others can’t. I know that cancer is a topic that’s not spoken about very often. It’s so important that we make cancer a normal conversation in marginalised communities and help people to act on any concerns.

“Sadly, in December 2023, I started getting a bad cough and shortness of breath when I walked up the stairs. I knew these could be signs of a cancer recurrence, but I was given antibiotics and told not to worry. I went back to my GP three times before I was finally sent to hospital for an X-ray. It turned out that my lung had collapsed, and I spent 17 hours in A&E.

“When I reflect on my journey, every time something like that happens, I sit and think; ‘But what if I couldn’t speak English? What would’ve happened to me?’ If my symptoms had carried on and I wasn’t listened to, and I’d just been sent home with an inhaler, I could’ve died. That’s how serious it was. I’m British and I speak English very well, but I still struggled, and I had to find my voice. I had to fight to be listened to. If I didn’t speak English, or I couldn’t speak up for myself, would I still be alive now?” [Ameena’s extended quote and story can be found in Notes to Editors]

Reasons for the growing number of people living with cancer are complex and include a growing and ageing population, a gradual increase in some survival rates, and some increases in the rates of people diagnosed with certain cancer types[6].

Macmillan’s Chief Executive Gemma Peters said: “The number of people living with cancer in the UK is rising, and for many, things are getting worse. There are unacceptable gaps between the best and worst experiences, and people are being left behind.

“Behind these figures are individuals with unique challenges and needs. At Macmillan, we support people living with cancer every day, helping them to manage the various ways in which cancer affects their lives. We see how cancer impacts peoples’ relationships, jobs, finances and more, and how this can be even worse for some, simply because of who they are or where they live. This must change.

“Better is possible, but only if we approach cancer care differently. Governments across the UK have a unique opportunity to revolutionise cancer care for the future. By addressing the cancer care gap and ensuring every patient — no matter who they are or where they live — can access world-class care, we can set a new standard for the UK. This is the governments’ chance to shape its legacy for generations to come.”

For information, support or just someone to talk to, call Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk/whateveryouneed

Key facts

The estimated number of people who will be living with cancer in the UK in 2025 includes the following approximate breakdowns:

  • 1.9 million women and 1.5 million men with cancer
  • 2.8 million people with cancer in England
  • 290,000 people with cancer in Scotland
  • 190,000 people with cancer in Wales
  • 98,000 people with cancer in Northern Ireland
  • 890,000 women with breast cancer
  • 610,000 men with prostate cancer
  • 390,000 people with bowel cancer
  • 120,000 people with lung cancer

NHS data shows that the number of people living with cancer in England who were diagnosed most recently includes more than 32,000 people from an Asian background, more than 22,000 people from a Black background and over 150,000 people living in the most deprived areas[7]. These are some of the groups of people who are more likely to face barriers in getting the care they need[8].

References

[1] Macmillan Cancer Support. Cancer prevalence. Accessed January 2025. The figure for 2025 of 3.4 million is an estimate of everyone who will be alive as of 31st December 2025 in the UK who has been diagnosed with cancer any time recently or in the past. The equivalent figure for 31st December 2020 was 2.9 million. Please note, these estimates are modelled from observed prevalence in 2021 (England, Scotland and Northern Ireland) and in 2015 (Wales), so include most of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The method used to scale up from observed prevalence to complete prevalence and the predicted growth rate between 2015/2021 and 2025 do not take into account further impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic but this impact is believed to be relatively minor

[2] Macmillan Cancer Support/YouGov survey of 2,078 adults in the UK who have had a cancer diagnosis, including 370 people with cancer with a serious disability. Fieldwork was undertaken between 11th and 30th June 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of people living with cancer in the UK (aged 18+). Question wording was as follows: Thinking in general about issues related to cancer in the UK, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Please select one for each statement. Relevant statement as follows: ‘On balance, it feels harder to be living with cancer now than at any other time I can remember.’ 32% of respondents agreed with this statement, 23% disagreed, and the majority of the remainder selected either ‘neither agree or disagree’ or ‘don’t know’. The figure increased to 48% of those who also had a serious disability, which in this context, means a disability that respondents said had limited their day-to-day activities ‘a lot’ in the past 12 months

[3] Analysis of the national Cancer Patient Experience Survey for England. www.ncpes.co.uk. The 2023 national data tables show statistically significant declines in 13 questions in the survey between 2021 and 2023. There were statistically significant improvements in 18 questions, while the remaining showed no significant change

[4] Macmillan Cancer Support analysis of the national Cancer Patient Experience Survey for England. www.ncpes.co.uk. For example, the survey shows the average overall experience of care for all respondents declined slightly between 2021 and 2023 (8.91 out of 10 in 2021, 8.88 in 2022, and 8.89 in 2023; difference between 2021 and 2023 is statistically significant). However, there were larger differences in this score for a number of subgroups. Although these did not reach statistical significance when comparing individual year-on-year changes, they are indicative of a trend. For example, the score for people with mixed or multiple ethnicities was 8.71 in 2021, 8.69 in 2022 and 8.57 in 2023 (sample sizes 455, 512 and 560 respectively), and the score for trans respondents was 8.60 in 2021, 8.43 in 2022 and 8.32 in 2023 (sample sizes 94, 97 and 88 respectively). There are also differences in other questions; for example, the percentage of bisexual respondents who said they had confidence and trust in all of the team looking after them during their stay in hospital (Q31) was 70% in 2021, 64.8% in 2022 and 57.6% in 2023 (sample sizes 100, 105 and 118 respectively)

[5] Macmillan Cancer Support analysis of the 2023 National Cancer Patient Experience Survey for England. Refers to the following questions:

  • Q12: When you were first told that you had cancer, had you been given the option of having a family member, carer or friend with you while being told?
  • Q22: Were your family and/or carers able to be involved as much as you wanted them to be in decisions about your treatment options?
  • Q28: Do you feel you got the right amount of support with your overall health and well being from hospital staff?

[6] Data showing the UK population is growing and ageing is available from the Office for National Statistics, such as this report on the profile of the older population living in England and Wales in 2021. Analysis showing the gradual increases in many UK cancer survival rates is available from the Cancer Research UK website: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/survival. Further analysis from Cancer Research UK shows how a number of common types of cancer have seen increases in incidence rates in recent years, particularly thyroid cancer, liver cancer and melanoma skin cancer: Incidence trends over time for common cancers

[7] NHS England’s National Disease Registration Service. Cancer prevalence dashboard. Refers to people alive as of 31 December 2021 who were diagnosed with cancer within the previous 5 years

[8] Sources include the following:

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