Many inhabitants of Poland die too early, especially from cancer. These deaths can often be prevented – either by not making the disease sick or by effectively treating it if it does. We present new data on the health of the inhabitants of Poland, compiled by scientists from NIZP-PZH, as well as practical tips from NIO-NRI specialists.

  1. Experts warn that in Poland the percentage of deaths from preventable neoplastic diseases is still very high
  2. Dr. Paweł Koczkodaj: – About 90-95 percent. all cancers are caused by external factors, the action of which we can limit or even completely eliminate
  3. When it comes to risk factors that we can influence, smoking is the most important
  4. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

Tumors in Poland

The former indicate that preventable premature mortality from cancer is now much higher than that from cardiovascular disease for both men and women, which they believe indicates an urgent need to strengthen cancer prevention efforts. In this respect, Poland fares much worse than, for example, Germany or Sweden, but also the Czech Republic.

This is shown by data based on standardized coefficients, i.e. those that allow the comparison of different populations, despite the fact that they differ, for example, in the age structure (and it is known that age is one of the strongest risk factors for cancer development). For example, in 2018, the standardized death rate for men under 75 from preventable cancer was:

  1.    in Poland – 121,6 per 100 thousand population,
  2.    in the Czech Republic – 94,3,
  3.    in Germany – 80,7,
  4.    in Sweden – 46,2.

As a consolation, however, it is worth adding that the situation in this respect has improved significantly in Poland since 1999. Two decades ago, this indicator in our country was as much as 175,6 per 100 thousand.

However, while in the case of men a slow downward trend is observed, in the case of women, unfortunately, this is not the case.

“In the case of female mortality, a similar growing trend in the rate of deaths from preventable cancers as in Poland occurs in Germany, while in Sweden and the Czech Republic the rates have a significant, slow downward trend, which means that the excess mortality, which is unfavorable for Polish women, is increasing” – we read in the latest edition of the study on the health situation of the Polish population, published in December 2020 by the National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene (NIZP-PZH).

In the case of women, this ratio in Poland increased in 2018 to 49 per 100 thousand. population, while for example in Sweden it decreased to 35,1.

Poland also performs worse than the above-mentioned countries in terms of the death rate of men and women due to cancer that can be effectively treated, although in both cases the situation has improved slightly in recent years.

In light of the above data, and given the new public health threats and concerns of the pandemic, the question of possible ways to effectively change this gloomy state of affairs becomes even more relevant.

“The mortality due to preventable causes is much higher (by 85%) than the mortality due to the causes that can be treated effectively, which shows the weakness of the current health policy” – reads the study by NIZP-PZH.

  1. Editors recommend: No lung cancer. These are the two most common cancers among Polish women and Poles

How To Escape Cancer?

— According to current medical knowledge, about 90-95 percent. all cancers are caused by external factors, the action of which we can limit or even completely eliminate – we are talking then about primary cancer prevention. It is also very important to regularly check yourself for early detection of neoplastic lesions (participation in control and screening tests), which in turn is an activity in the field of secondary prevention – says Dr. Paweł Koczkodaj, deputy head of the Department of Epidemiology and Primary Prevention of Cancer at the National Institute of Oncology . Maria Skłodowskiej-Curie – National Research Institute (NIO-PIB).

When it comes to risk factors that we can influence, smoking is the most important.

– There are over 70 carcinogenic substances in tobacco smoke. Contrary to appearances, smoking contributes not only to the development of lung cancer. It also significantly increases the risk of developing many other neoplastic diseases, such as bladder cancer or pancreatic cancer – emphasizes Dr. Paweł Koczkodaj.

But be careful! The expert warns that if someone, in addition to smoking, also consumes alcohol, it significantly increases the risk of developing cancers of the head and neck (e.g. cancer of the larynx, esophagus, tongue, throat).

– It is a very harmful mixture, because alcohol damages the epithelium, which facilitates the penetration of toxins from tobacco smoke into the tissues. This applies to both regular and occasional use of these substances. Meanwhile, still about 25 percent. adult Poles smoke cigarettes regularly. In the context of smoking, it is also worth noting that the risk of cancer is also increased by passive smoking, both second and third hand. In the latter case, it is a situation where, for example, someone smokes in an apartment or car and smoke toxins penetrate into the upholstery, carpets, etc. – then, despite airing, we are still exposed to toxic substances – warns Dr. Paweł Koczkodaj.

It turns out that the second most important risk factor for cancer development – right after smoking – is obesity, which is most often associated with poor eating habits and low physical activity.

– Obesity increases the risk of developing many neoplastic diseases, mainly because it causes numerous hormonal and metabolic disorders – explains the expert.

Alcohol is the third most significant risk factor for developing cancer in terms of lifestyle.

— The inconvenient truth is that any amount of alcohol we consume has a carcinogenic potentialregardless of whether we drink beer, wine or vodka. Both the occasional drinking of larger amounts of alcohol and the consumption of small amounts of alcohol are dangerous, but regularly – emphasizes Dr. Paweł Koczkodaj.

Anticancer lifestyle and oncological vigilance

– The above-mentioned risk factors and protective factors are included – among many others – in the so-called The European Code of Fight against Cancer (available at www.12sposobownazdrowie.pl). Scientists have proved that if all Europeans followed the prevention principles listed in the code, the number of cancer deaths in Europe could drop by as much as 50 percent. – reminds the expert.

  1. See more: How to Avoid Cancer? 12 WHO commandments that reduce the risk of getting sick

Meanwhile, the reality is quite different.

– Unfortunately, in Poland, compared to some European countries, especially Scandinavian countries, a low percentage of adults take part in screening tests appropriate for their age and gender – colonoscopy, mammography or cytology. This percentage is further declining as a result of the ongoing pandemic. For example, in September 2019, about 38 percent. women over 50 reported for free mammography as part of the screening program, while in September 2020 there were only about 34% of them (according to the National Health Fund data). The unfavorable trend was also visible in the case of the other two screening tests – informs Dr. Paweł Koczkodaj.

Cancer and the pandemic

– In the context of deaths due to neoplastic diseases, the data on the lower number of so-called DILO cards (Diagnostics and Oncological Treatment Cards). For example, in April 2019, more than 4 were issued to women with breast cancer, and in the same period of 2020, there were only 2,7 of them. Meanwhile, the incidence has certainly not decreased during this time – says the expert, emphasizing that the pandemic, for various reasons, affects the speed of patients reporting to doctors, which delays diagnosis and prompt treatment.

That is why it is so important to contain the pandemic as soon as possible – incl. thanks to universal immunization, but also investing in universal health education.

– Apart from the medical or economic factors, the awareness and health attitudes of Poles also play an important role in the differences in the survival of cancer patients between Poland and Western countries. It still happens that patients in Poland report to a doctor late, when the neoplastic changes are already very advanced, and therefore more difficult to cure – says Dr. Paweł Koczkodaj.

In order to change this, various activities are carried out in Poland all the time, which even more effectively persuading the public to participate in screening.

– We look with great hope at the National Oncological Strategy currently being implemented, the implementation of which by 2030 is to improve, among others, areas related to health education in the context of cancer, incl. by introducing health classes to schools. In addition, an important element of the strategy’s activities is also the promotion of the recommendations of the European Code against Cancer – summarizes Dr. Paweł Koczkodaj.

Author: Wiktor Szczepaniak, Zdrowie.pap.pl / Serwis Zdrowie

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