Number of cancer patients in Europe expected to increase by more than 20% by 2045 – WHO agency

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The number of new cancer cases in Europe is estimated to increase by 22.5% over the next 20 years, according to new estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

This is because the number of cancer diagnoses will increase by 55% globally between 2022 and 2045, from approximately 19.9 million in 2022 to 30.9 million in 2045.

The new estimates, released ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, highlight the “increasing burden” of cancer and cancer inequality, according to IARC, the World Health Organization’s cancer control agency. This highlights the need to take action.

A contributing factor to the increase is the aging of the population. tobacco, alcoholas well as obesity Air pollutionThe agency announced.

Currently, approximately 1 in 5 people will develop cancer during their lifetime, and approximately 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women will die from cancer.

As cancer incidence increases, cancer mortality is also expected to increase from an estimated 9.7 million in 2022 to 16.6 million worldwide in 2045.

Cancer deaths in Europe could rise by 32%, according to new analysis.

Common cancers and treatment disparities in Europe

According to 2022 estimates from IARC, the WHO’s cancer agency, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Europe, followed by prostate cancer and colorectal cancer.

According to EU statistics, the most common causes of cancer deaths in the EU are lung, colorectal and breast cancer.

new report A report by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), also released this week, found significant inequalities in access to cancer treatment in Europe.

For example, in Sweden, people with lower socio-economic status have a higher risk of dying from cancer compared to more advantaged people, the UICC said.

In Portugal, approximately 30% of the most common causes of cancer are related to tobacco consumption.

“Despite advances in the early detection of cancer and the treatment and care of cancer patients, there are large disparities in cancer treatment outcomes not only between high-income and low-income regions of the world, but also within countries. exists,” the report states. Cary Adams, UICC Director.

“Where a person lives should not determine whether or not they live there. Tools for governments to prioritize cancer treatment and ensure everyone has access to affordable, quality services.” It’s not just a resource issue, it’s a political will issue.”

Some of the measures called for by the UICC include increasing funding to close cancer disparities, integrating cancer services into the national health benefit, and implementing a common cancer screening program.

Differences between high-income and low-income countries

New estimates from IARC’s World Cancer Observatory reveal large inequalities between developed and less developed countries.

In countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI), a measure based on education, life expectancy and income, 1 in 12 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 in 71 will die from breast cancer.

However, in countries with a low HDI, only 1 in 27 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, but 1 in 48 will die from the disease.

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“Women in countries with a low HDI are 50% less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than women in countries with a high HDI, but due to delayed diagnosis and lack of access to high-quality treatment, they are at increased risk of dying from breast cancer. is much higher,” said Isabel Soerjomataram, deputy director of IARC’s Cancer Surveillance Division.

Overall, the estimated number of new cancer cases in low HDI countries is expected to increase by 107% between 2022 and 2045, while the estimated number of cancer cases in high HDI countries is expected to increase by 36%.

Meanwhile, a WHO survey of 115 countries showed that the majority of countries do not adequately fund cancer services as part of their health insurance, and experts say the It calls for major investment to address differences.

IARC has previously stressed that estimates should be interpreted “with caution” due to limitations in cancer data from around the world, “particularly in low- and middle-income countries.”