Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in this country and is responsible for one out of every four deaths (almost 124,000 each year). An even greater percentage of deaths occur at younger ages, more than one in three deaths under the age of 75. There is much that can be done to reduce the death rate from cancers. Cancer was highlighted as a national priority area in the Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation White Paper, the NHS Plan and the Department's Public Service Agreement. The target is to reduce the death rate in people aged under 75 years by at least one fifth by 2010.
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Band 1 - poor | Value below 99.9% lower limit of expected distribution |
| Band 2 | Value between 99.9% and 97.5% lower limits of expected distribution |
| Band 3 | Value within the central 95% probability limits of expected distribution |
| Band 4 | Value between 99.9% and 97.5% higher limits of expected distribution |
| Band 5 - good | Value above higher 99.9% limit of expected distribution |