Dementia people's biggest fear in later life

Published 9 February 2011

Dementia is the UK’s biggest fear ahead of cancer according to a You Gov poll out today (Wednesday, 09 February 2011). For every one UK research scientist working on dementia, six work on cancer.

The research commissioned by Alzheimer's Research UK echoes finding by Alzheimer's Society that dementia research receives eight times less funding than cancer research and that dementia is people's biggest fear in later life.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'Dementia is the biggest challenge facing the UK and people are right to be worried. It is a devastating condition that robs people of their lives. There is no cure and dementia is the UK's Cinderella story - we are in the bottom third of Europe when it comes to dementia care. Yet with the right treatments and support it is possible to live well with dementia. We must gear up to tackle this challenge by investing in research and support or else face a dementia catastrophe. Alzheimer's Society is committed to doubling our investment in dementia research and we urge the government to make a similar commitment.'

Jeremy Hughes
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society