THE number of young people in the North with cancer has risen by a quarter since the 1960s, but patients are much more likely to survive.

Researchers at Newcastle University also found that young men were 20 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than young women and generally did not respond as well to treatment.

Cases of testicular cancer and malignant melanoma (skin cancer) doubled during the 30-year period covered by the study, which could be due to changes in environment and lifestyle.

Young women in particular were more likely to get malignant melanoma, something researchers attributed to holidays and sunbed use.

In contrast, the number of cases of certain other types of cancer, such as Hodgkin's Disease and some central nervous system tumours, fell.

The Northern Region study had corresponding patterns in terms of the incidence and types of cancer when compared to other similar studies in the UK and Europe.

Researchers examined data on cancer in young people aged 15 to 24 living in the North between 1968 and 1997.

The study found that rates of cancer had increased significantly from 161 cases per million a year between 1968 and 1972, to 202 per million a year between 1993 and 1997.

During the 30-year study, there were 190 cases per million a year for men, and 157 per million a year for women.

Cases of testicular cancer and malignant melanoma rose from 11.9 and 13.3 cases per million a year in 1968 to 1972 to 22.4 and 25.1 in 1993 to 1997.

Dr Mark Pearce, of Newcastle University, said: "You can draw a link between the rise in the cases of skin cancer and the increase in the growing tendency to take holidays in hot, sunny countries over the past 30 or so years and also the increased use of sunbeds, particularly by women."