HUGE advances have been made in reducing cancer deaths over the last generation but more still needs to be done to tackle the growing number of new cases, campaigners say today.

Cancer Research UK said there had been a 12 per cent drop in the rate of cancer deaths in the UK in the past 30 years, thanks to improvements in detection and treatment.

But more funding is needed to help scientists progress their work, including Newcastle University's internationally renowned cancer drug development unit, so that the next generation can see survival rates increase further, says the charity.

The figures have been released as Cancer Research UK launches its All Clear advertising campaign to raise more funds for research projects that could give more patients the hope of being given the all-clear.

The charity already invests more than £2m in research at Newcastle University.

Between 1972 and 2002, cancer deaths among men fell by 18 per cent and by six per cent among women.

Some cancers saw dramatic increases, including oesophagus cancer, where deaths rose by about 65 per cent in 30 years, influenced by smoking and an increased consumption of alcohol.

While lung cancer deaths in men dropped by nearly 50 per cent, its incidence in women rose by about 55 per cent.

Big decreases were seen in stomach and bowel cancer deaths over 30 years - down by 27 per cent in men and 43 per cent in women for bowel cancers.

Breast cancer cases have dropped by 20 per cent and testicular cancer deaths by 37 per cent. Hodgkin's Disease deaths fell by 74 per cent.

But the number of people being diagnosed with cancer each year has steadily increased.

Professor Robert Souhami, Cancer Research UK's director of clinical and external affairs, said with its latest campaign it wanted to ''emphasise progress has been made rather than dwell on the sense of anxiety and loss cancer usually inspires''.

Cancer survivor Susan Brodhurst, 45, a staff nurse at Darlington Memorial Hospital, was 34 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992.

After treatment Ms Brodhurst, from School Aycliffe, County Durham, has made a full recovery.

She said: "When I found out I had cancer, I kept thinking 'I want to live to be a grandmother'."

Now she helps raise money for Cancer Research UK and last year abseiled down the hospital's main tower block.