New statistics from the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit show that cancer remains the leading cause of mortality in Wales.

Cancer mortality rates remain higher in the most deprived areas of Wales compared to the least deprived areas in Wales, with no real improvements over the reported period. The rate was 52 per cent higher in the most deprived areas in 2024.

Over half of all cancer deaths in Wales are in people aged 75 and over. This has been steadily rising to 57 per cent in 2024, as the population of Wales becomes more elderly.

Lung cancer alone accounts for two in ten cancer deaths, although lung cancer mortality has declined steadily among men over the past two decades.