Death rates for breast, bowel, lung and prostate cancer have fallen by almost a third in the past 20 years, according to figures released Monday by a British cancer research and awareness charity.
Cancer Research UK announced on Monday that the death rate for breast cancer has fallen by 38 percent. About 15,000 people died from this disease 20 years ago compared with 11,600 now.
The death rate of bowel cancer nowadays has reduced by 34 percent, almost 3,000 fewer people a year die from this cancer than 20 years ago.
With the falling of smoking rates in Britain, the death rate of lung cancer has declined by 27 percent.
The mortality of prostate cancer has also fallen by 21 percent in the last 20 years.
The organization attributed the decrease to the improvement of detection and more effective treatments, such as surgery, therapy and medical care.
It said cancer survival in the country has doubled in the last 40 years. The organization said its ambition is to accelerate progress so that three quarters will survive cancer within the next 20 years.
However, the mortality rates in liver, pancreatic, melanoma, oral and some digestive cancers have all increased.
"Research continues to help save lives from cancer, and these figures offer renewed encouragement that progress continues," said Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research UK.
"But while the death rate for the four biggest cancer killers falls, it's vital to remember that more needs to be done to help bring even better results over the coming years," he said.