CANCER rates are expected to rise much faster among women than among men over the next 20 years, according to figures released today.

A study for Cancer Research UK, released to coincide with World Cancer Day, found that cancer rates are projected to rise by three per cent for women by 2035, but by less than one per cent for men.

The charity says obesity and smoking are likely to be the main factors behind the alarming statistics.

Currently, around 7,900 woman and 8,000 men are diagnosed with cancer in the North East every year.

In Yorkshire and Humberside, the figure stands at 14,600 for women and 15,200 for men.

Several obesity-related cancers only affect women, while smoking became widespread among women later than among men, a social shift which is beginning to translate into cancer rates decades later.

Cancer Research UK is now calling on men, women and children to play their part by wearing a Unity Band or donating money to help fund life-saving research.

Lisa Millett, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North East, said: “These new figures reveal the huge challenge we continue to face, both in the UK and worldwide.

“Research is at the heart of finding ways to reduce cancer’s burden and ensure more people survive, particularly for hard-to-treat cancers where the outlook for patients is still bleak

“So many of us know someone affected by cancer, and wearing a Unity Band on World Cancer Day on February 4 is a simple and easy way to show support”.