The prevalence trends of cancer in Europe are encouraging: between 1989 and 2025, it is estimated that nearly 7 million deaths were avoided in the European Union, including more than 373,000 breast cancers. These data come from a study recently published in Annals of Oncology by a group of researchers coordinated by the Dr Carlo La Vecchia, University De Milan. From information from several international databases, researchers have generated estimates of the mortality and incidence of different cancers in the European Union (EU) in 5 of the most populated countries (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain) and in the United Kingdom, by emphasizing data cancer data.
The data available today show that over the past 15 years, mortality rates due to cancer have decreased in 2 sexes and in all countries considered. These trends would mainly be the fact of the decrease in smoking. In addition, the differences in cancer mortality between countries are notable. “” It is important to predict these trends to assess the burden of the disease and transmit indications on the impact of prevention, screening programs and progress made ”explain the authors.
What analyzes say
According to Dr. Carlo La Vecchia and his colleagues, 1,280,000 cancer deaths are expected in the EU for 2025, which corresponds to standardized mortality rates depending on the age of 120.9/100,000 men (-3.5 % versus 2020) and 79.1/100,000 women (-1.2 %). In the United Kingdom, the number of cancer deaths should reach 173,000 and the normalized mortality rate 101.2/100,000 men (-10.1 %) and 82.1/100,000 women (-6.3 %).
« These estimates are good news, with a reduction in death in time: in 2025, given the aging of the population, we die less than in the past. It is the fruit of various factors: primary prevention, secondary prevention, therapeutic progress, in a variable proportion according to the type of cancer “Said Univadis Italy the Dr Massimo Di Maiodirector of university medical oncology at Molinette Hospital, Aou City of Health and Science of Turin And elected president of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM). The expert, not involved in the study of Dr. Carlo La Vecchia and his colleagues, also cited a study Recent American in which the reduction of mortality due to cancer has been confirmed in recent decades and also seeks to determine the weight of the various interventions (prevention, treatment, etc.) on this important end result, in particular for certain very frequent cancers. The conclusions of this study show that prevention and screening have made the greatest contribution to the reduction of mortality.
We can do more
« As part of a new globally satisfactory, concerning the decrease as a percentage of cancer deaths, specific data for certain types of cancer are thinking “Said Dr. Massimo Di Maio. These include pancreatic cancer for which exposure to risk factors such as obesity increases, and there is always a lack of secondary prevention tools and really effective treatments. “” The tendency to mortality due to cancer related to smoking (such as lungs or bladder) in women is also disappointing, a problem linked to the incidence and the consequences of smoking in the female population “, He added.
These data also emerge from the study of Dr. Carlo La Vecchia and his colleagues, which highlights in particular that the good results for stomach cancer are linked in particular to the control of the infection to Helicobacter pyloriand that those of colorectal cancer are linked to improvements in early diagnostic and treatment techniques.
« The data on “avowed deaths” are encouraging, but we could do much more “Said Dr. Massimo Di Maio, who cited in particular 3 areas: primary prevention, with improvements in lifestyles; Secondary prevention, with improvements in supply and adherence to screening which are still sub-optimal and finally treatments. In addition to the hope of progress in research, it is necessary to underline the need to guarantee rapid access to this progress for all patients.
This article has been translated fromUnivadis.it. The content was reviewed by the editorial staff before publication.
