In 2025, the number of new cases and deaths from cancer in Europe will increase by approx. 15%. – assessed Dr. Aleksander Gałaś from the Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University, citing statistics.
In turn – according to the analyzes presented by the doctor during the medical and pharmaceutical conference in Krakow – in 2020 the number of cases and deaths from cancer will be higher by approx. 10%.
According to statistics, said Dr. Gałaś, over 3,4 million people in Europe suffer from malignant tumors, and 1,8 million die of it. According to forecasts, by 2020 the number of new cases will increase by about 320 thousand, while the number of deaths by almost 180 thousand. In turn, by 2025, the forecasts for Europe are: 512 thousand. more new cases and 301 thousand. more deaths.
In Poland, more than 144 people suffer from neoplastic diseases every year. people (over 72,5 thousand women and almost 72 thousand men). Over 92 die from cancer. Poles (over 51 thousand men and over 40 thousand women). According to the analyzes, by 2025, the number of new cancer diagnoses in men in Poland will increase to 90. annually, and for women up to 80 thousand.
As the doctor noted, the incidence of malignant neoplasms in Poland is lower than in Western European countries, while the mortality rate is higher. “Since the incidence is the result of recognizing new cases of the disease, the observed disproportions show that Poles participate in screening tests less frequently. Reluctance to participate in such studies results in diagnoses at a more advanced stage of the disease, which more often leads to the inability to heal and death, increasing the mortality rates – said Dr. Gałaś.
Invariably, the most dangerous for women are breast cancer, cervical cancer and lung cancer; for men – cancer of the lung, prostate and colon. At the same time – as the doctor emphasized – by 2025 by approx. 18 percent. (from about 6,3 thousand to 7,4 thousand new cases annually) the incidence of lung cancer among Polish women will increase, which will be a consequence of the increasing number of smoking women.
Dr. Gałaś also drew attention to the fact that the registers of cancer incidence are not fully complete, which may lead to some underestimation of the number of patients.
As he emphasized, the forecasts for the coming years should be treated with caution, because a lot can still change in the world of medicine until then. Instead, it is important that public health organizations step up their efforts to prevent disease, including conducted campaigns informing about the need to perform screening tests
Our way of life is also important. Eliminating smoking, proper nutrition and increasing physical activity – these are just some of the ways that can reduce the risk of developing the disease – concluded Dr. Gałaś.
After heart disease, malignant neoplasms constitute the second cause of death in Poland (26% of deaths among men and 23% of deaths among women). (PAP)