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But they found some “concerning” trends in cancer deaths.
The five-year period 1999-2004 was the only period since 1979 in which the rate of decrease in avoidable cancer deaths has been less than in the previous one.
And the cancer mortality rate in England and Wales was still higher at 25.5 per 100,000 population in 2004 - than European countries such as France, Austria, Sweden and Finland.
Report author, James Gubb, director of the Civitas Health Unit, said the trend was particularly alarming given the intense focus and extra funding cancer care has received since the introduction of the NHS Cancer Plan in 2000.
“It’s impact has apparently been negligible at best.”
He said the additional funding may not have been spent in the right places.
“Some of the money was probably used to update equipment which was outdated but staff increases have come in the wrong areas so we have new diagnostic equipment sat in boxes.”
Professor Martin McKee, an expert in European Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said the assessment of the changes in cancer deaths that had happened in recent years was an accurate representation.
But he added: “In terms of attributing findings to changes in expenditure, it’s far too soon to say.
“It’s going to take time, especially with cancer.”
“Much of the new money simply got us back to where we should have been.”
Richard Davidson, director of policy and public affairs at Cancer Research UK, said the report was only a snapshot of seven of 200 forms of cancer.
“The latest research shows that UK cancer mortality rates have fallen by 12% over the last decade so it would be misleading to suggest that the Cancer Plan has been ineffective.
“Cancer mortality is falling and survival is increasing but there is still work to do.”
A Department of Health spokesperson said the NHS Cancer Plan had delivered huge improvements in treatment.

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