AKIPRESS.COM - Two in three of those born today are likely to develop cancer, experts have warned, after drawing up stark new scientific forecasts, according to the UK media reports.

The estimates from Cancer Research UK suggest over half of adults born since 1960 can expect to suffer the disease in their lifetime, with study authors warning that the figure will rise in future generations.

Experts said the new statistic – replacing previous estimates of one in three - is the most accurate forecast to date.

Much of the rise is explained by increasing life expectancy, and the fact that cancer is much more common in old age. However, researchers warned that around one third of the increase is fuelled by lifestyle factors such as alcohol, smoking, rising obesity and changes in child-bearing patterns.

The forecasts, published in the British Journal of Cancer, say that men born after 1960 have a 53.5 per cent lifetime risk of cancer, compared to a risk of 38.5 per cent among those born three decades before.

For women, the risk has risen from 36.7 per cent to 47.5 per cent, the figures show, with an overall risk of 50.5 per cent across both genders.

Researchers said that if life expectancy continues to increase, but lifestyle habits do not improve, the vast majority of children can expect to develop cancer in their lifetimes.

Study author Professor Peter Sasieni, based at Queen Mary University of London, said: "Cancer is primarily a disease of old age, with more than 60 per cent of all cases diagnosed in people aged over 65. If people live long enough then most will get cancer at some point."