... and the risk of cancer developing reduced.

[Daruma]

Hello.

BBC NEWS | Health | Primary liver cancers 'soaring'
Caught early enough, some of the damage caused by liver disease can be reversed and the risk of cancer developing reduced.

Can I say "progressing" in place of developing?

Thank you.

[2006]

Hello.

BBC NEWS | Health | Primary liver cancers 'soaring'
Caught early enough, some of the damage caused by liver disease can be reversed and the risk of cancer developing reduced.

Can I say "progressing" in place of developing?

Thank you.

No you can't, because "developing" and "progressing" have different meanings.

[PROESL]

I agree. They have different meanings.

[Daruma]

1. Cancer develops.
2. Cancer progresses.

Does #1 mean "cancer becomes more serious," and does #2 mean "cancer becomes less serious"?

[2006]

1. Cancer develops.
2. Cancer progresses.

Does #1 mean "cancer becomes more serious," and does #2 mean "cancer becomes less serious"?

No. #1 means cancer forms/begins. (Previously the cancer wasn't there; now it is.)
#2 means the cancer grows/advances/gets worse. (Previously the cancer was there, but now it is worse.)

Did you check your dictionary?

[PROESL]

1. Cancer develops.
2. Cancer progresses.

Does #1 mean "cancer becomes more serious," and does #2 mean "cancer becomes less serious"?

1. Cancer develops. - It starts and continues developing or progressing.

2. Cancer progresses. - It has already started, and it can continue progressing or developing.

I know what you mean. Do you see the difference now?

[PROESL]

1. Cancer develops.
2. Cancer progresses.

Does #1 mean "cancer becomes more serious," and does #2 mean "cancer becomes less serious"?

Both have negative meanings. No one wants cancer to develop, nor does anyone want it to progress. Neither means "it becomes less serious".