Still, even the age-standardised rates have risen. From 1971 to 1997, levels rose 13 per cent in men and 34 per cent in women. More recently, though, there has been a significant decline in male cancer - down 5.75 per cent since 1994. Female cancers, though, have risen a little recently, but they're still below their 1992 peak. In the US, by the way, it's fallen even faster - 10 per cent down overall since the 1992 peak.
Every second person seems to have it Almost.
The UK figure is a little lower. Currently, the male five-year survival rate is just 31 per cent, while the female is 43 per cent. Five years is the cancer experts' preferred definition of 'survival'. Maybe, maybe not. Cancerous polyps do bleed intermittently.