Cancer in Europe

In Europe, there are an estimated 4.1 million new cancer cases and almost 2 million cancer deaths each year. Cancers of the female breast, colorectum, lung, and prostate are the most common cancers, representing half of the overall cancer burden in the continent (Figure 27.1).

In men, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in nearly all countries except seven Eastern European countries and the Russian Federation, where lung cancer is the leading cancer. For women, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in all European countries, including France, Cyprus, and Belgium. These cancers, together with colorectal and pancreatic cancers, are also the five leading causes of cancer death in Europe.

Substantial variations in incidence and mortality rates are observed across the region (Map 27.1).

Lifetime risk of developing cancer in Europe ranges from 16% (one in six persons) in Albania to 33% (one in three persons) in Norway and Denmark. The risk of dying from cancer varies from 8% (one in 13 persons) in Switzerland to 16% (one in six persons) in Hungary (Figure 27.2).

After decades of rising trends, overall cancer incidence rates in men have stabilized or begun to decrease in the region, largely due to decreases in lung cancer incidence, even in Central and Eastern Europe, where rates remain high (Figure 27.3). In contrast, the incidence rate for women continued to rise, largely reflecting slower progress in reducing lung cancer rates (see Lung Cancer). Since the 1990s, overall cancer mortality has consistently decreased, largely because of decreases in breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung (males only) cancers. The trend reflects advancements in prevention, early diagnosis, and curative treatment.