Cases of cancer are expected to rise in Wales

It already has the UK's highest cancer rate - largely because of its sizeable elderly population.

New figures being released at a Cardiff conference warn cancer rates will rise as the number of retired people grows.

The Welsh assembly is taking steps including setting up a committee to look at smoking in public.

The figures are being discussed at Cancer Research UK's inaugural Wales against Cancer conference in Cardiff on Thursday.

The risk of developing cancer increases with age.

In Wales, 17% of the population is over 65.

It seems clear that Wales will need more resources to help it cope with the extra cancer burden Professor Robert Souhami

According to the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, that figure will grow to 23% by 2024.

Wales currently has the highest cancer rate in the UK, with 527 cases for every 100,000, compared with 373 for every 100,000 in London.

Dr John Steward, director of the unit, said: "Wales' relatively elderly population is already heavily burdened by cancer and the latest projections suggest the incidence of the disease will continue to rise.

"It's extremely important that we continue to monitor and analyse the latest trends in population and cancer incidence, as they will be invaluable as the basis for future planning of cancer services".

Cancer Research UK has organised Thursday's conference to focus policy makers on improving cancer treatment and prevention in Wales, and the rest of the UK.

Professor Robert Souhami, from the charity, said: "Cancer is becoming much more common as people live longer, and the situation will be worst in places like Wales where there are increasing numbers of older, retired people.

Baroness Finlay: 'Strong response' needed

"It seems clear that Wales will need more resources to help it cope with the extra cancer burden".

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, an expert in cancer care and one of the speakers at Thursday's meeting, said the projections provided a "clear warning" to the Welsh assembly that the scale of the cancer problem was going to grow.

"It will require a robust political response, in terms of the focussing of resources and the prioritising of cancer prevention," said the people's peer who is campaigning at Westminster for the assembly to have the power to ban smoking in public places in Wales.

Earlier this week another report - Cancer 2025 - predicted that the number of people living with cancer in Britain will treble in the next 20 years.

Welsh Health Minister Jane Hutt will also speak at the conference.