Copeland Health Profile 2010 - Cumbria County Council

Premature deaths from cancer
The risk of developing cancer depends on many factors: including age, lifestyle and genetic
make-up. It is estimated that up to half of all cancers could be avoided if people made
changes to their lifestyles such as stopping smoking, moderate alcohol intake, maintaining a
healthy bodyweight and avoiding excessive sun exposure. Early detection and increased
awareness of screening interventions such as colorectal, breast and cervical screening
provide an opportunity to reduce premature mortality rates.
Figure 17: Premature mortality from cancer by gender
Premature Mortality: All cancers, males
(directly standardised rates)
Premature Mortality: All cancers, females
(directly standardised rates)
England Cumbria Copeland
England Cumbria Copeland
DSR
190.0
170.0
150.0
130.0
110.0
90.0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
DSR
140.0
130.0
120.0
110.0
100.0
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Figure 17 shows premature mortality rates from cancer. Male mortality of 124 deaths per
100,000 (56 deaths) men is in line with the national average and below the county rate of 164
deaths per 100,000. Recently released figures for 2009 reveal that the number of male
deaths has decreased by 14% to 48 deaths. During recent years female mortality from
cancer has show a steady increase. The current rate of 131 deaths per 100,000 females (57
deaths) is above the county and national rate of 100 deaths for every 100,000 females.
Figures for 2009 show that the number of female deaths decreased by 18% to 47 deaths.
Which type of cancer
Table 2 shows standardised mortality ratios (SMRs). These are used to measure the ratio of
deaths in a standard population, in this case England, with a study population (Copeland).
The standard population is measured as 100 and the study population is compared with this.
Anything above 100 is worse than average and anything below is better. A statistical test is
applied to the SMR to identify if it is significantly better or worse than would be expected. In
this instance this significance is represented by “faces”. A sad face (red) represents worse
than expected and a happy face (green) better than expected when compared to the national
average.
Copeland Health Profile
J Clay
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