50% of people born after 1960 will get cancer according to study – Get life insurance today

Written by Editorial Team
Last updated: 25th March 2024

One in two people born since 1960 will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, according to the latest research from Cancer Research UK, published on Wednesday in the British Journal of Cancer.

This new calculation takes into account the fact that people are living longer than ever before, and as the study’s author, Professor Peter Sasieni, says, “Cancer is primarily a disease of old age, with more than 60% of all cases diagnosed in people aged over 65. If people live long enough, most will get cancer at some point.”

The research compared the risk of developing cancer for people born in the years between 1930 and 1960. For men born in 1930, the risk of cancer was 39%, while for those born in 1960, it was 54% while for women, the rate increased from 37% for those born in 1930 to 48% for those born in 1960.

Cancer survival rates double that of the 1970s

However, the good news is that more people than ever are recovering –  in the last 40 years, survival rates have doubled, meaning about half of patients with cancer will survive the disease for more than 10 years. What’s more, it’s believed that lifestyle changes could prevent at least four in ten cancers.

However, it makes sense to be prepared for the future and ensure that your family is protected financially if you become ill. As many more people survive cancer, more people will need to take time out of work for treatment and recovery, which can create financial difficulties. An excellent critical illness policy will give you the peace of mind to rest and recover knowing that your family are protected, and comprehensive life insurance will ensure your family are covered should the worst happen. So don’t delay – get a quote today.

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