Cancer diagnosis now 'more common than getting married, having a baby or getting a degree'

Cancer has statistically become one of the biggest life-changing events for people in the UK, according to new research from Macmillan Care Support has shown how

Figures in the report, ‘The C-Word: How we react to cancer today’, show how for the first time, new cancer diagnosis outnumbers other milestone events such as getting married, having a first baby or gaining a degree.

In light of this, Lynda Thomas, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, is urging people to think about diagnosis in a more considered way.

She said: “Being told you have cancer changes your life and can leave people feeling as if they’ve been thrust into the unknown, bewildered and unprepared.

“But as more and more people are being diagnosed with cancer, it’s important that we are all better informed about what to expect if we do one day receive this shocking news.”

There are now more new cases of cancer ‘than women giving birth to their first child’

According to the study:

• Cancer is more common than new marriages: Latest figures show there are over 70,000 more new cases of cancer each year in UK than new marriages.

• Cancer is more common than women having their first child: There are almost 50,000 more new cases of cancer each in year in England and Wales than women giving birth to their first child.

• Cancer is as common as graduating: Latest figures show there are a similar number of undergraduate degrees awarded each year in the UK, compared with new cases of cancer.

• Cancer affects many people at the 'prime' of their life: More than 1.2 million people have been diagnosed with cancer under the age of 65 in the past 10 years, including more than 340,000 diagnosed in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

One in ten people fear cancer more than losing a loved one, or even terrorism

Macmillan’s study also reveals that cancer is the disease that many fear getting the most, with 37 per cent of respondents telling the charity that this is their biggest health worry.

This figure is far ahead of Alzheimer’s (27 per cent), stroke (seven per cent), depression (four per cent), heart disease (four per cent) or multiple sclerosis (two per cent).

It is even suggested that for one in 10 people in the UK, cancer is the biggest fear of all, ahead of losing a loved one, their own death or even terrorism.

However, according to Macmillan Cancer Support, it is this fear of cancer and the unknown which prevents many people from being able to absorb facts and to prepare for their treatment and journey ahead; something which the cancer charity believes is vital for recovery.

“Cancer is almost always life-changing, but it isn’t always life-ending,” added Ms Thomas. “Life with cancer is still life – you’re still a dad, a sister, a grandparent, a friend. Macmillan has supported millions from the point of diagnosis, throughout their treatment and into the future.

“From our experience, we believe that living well with cancer begins at diagnosis. People should come away from those first appointments feeling informed about their choices and knowing what support is available.”