Continuing to fight cancer deaths

Cancer deaths will decline by 15% over the next 20 years, Cancer Research UK (2016) recently estimated. In 2014, 331 in every 100,000 people in the UK died from cancer. By 2035, Cancer Research UK estimate, mortality will drop to 280 per 100,000. For example, deaths from bowel cancer will fall by 23% from 32 to 25 per 100,000 over this time. Overall, about 403,000 fewer people in the UK will die from cancer over the next 20 years than if mortality had remained stable.¹ Numerous advances in detection, diagnosis and treatment drive this improved prognosis.

For example, vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (VTPT) uses a laser delivered through a thin optical fibre inserted into a prostate cancer or another solid malignancy. The light activates a drug such as padeliporfin. After activation, intravenous padeliporfin closes the blood vessels that supply the tumour with oxygen and nutrients.