Breast cancer related deaths are expected to rise. An investigation by the World Health Organisation (WHO) have predicted that by 2050, breast cancer-related death cases will have risen by 68%, with a worldwide average of one in 20 women being diagnosed. Cancer charities such as Cancer Research UK (CRUK) say that while the cause varies from age to genetics, the surge in cases may be due to an increased lifespan resulting in a larger population of susceptible people.
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‘An ageing and growing population means that more and more people are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK in the coming decades,’ said Jon Shelton, CRUK’s head of cancer intelligence. ‘However, what's incredibly positive is that breast cancer survival has doubled since the 1970s and now, almost 8 in 10 women diagnosed with the disease will survive for at least 10 years.’
Various considerations are recommended when approaching treatment for breast cancer patients. With an aging population, more holistic treatment options should be explored to target all aspects of managing breast cancer. Charities such as Future Dreams provide practical and emotional support both in-house and online to patients diagnosed with breast cancer. The charity, which offers in-person appointments at its Future Dreams house in King’s Cross, London, has since reported an uptick in its service usage. They have stated that clinicians and carers should pay closer attention to the mental and physical difficulties patients may face.
‘Visitors to the house and online wanting support doubled in January 2025, compared to the previous year,’ said Sam Jacobs, Future Dreams CEO. ‘The issue is not solely dealing with breast cancer itself, but the mental and physical challenges that patients can face during and after treatment. They are often totally unprepared for this and the fact that it can continue for a number of years. There will be a growing need for these services and it is an area that the NHS is already struggling to cope with.’