European cancer burden set to rise, warn researchers
Despite better prevention and treatments, the European cancer burden is set to increase in the coming years as a result of the ageing population, scientists have warned. However, public health measures, particularly in the field of tobacco control, could help to reduce the incidence of certain cancers. According to figures from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published in the Annals of Oncology, there were an estimated 3.2 million new cases of cancer in 2006 (up from 2.9 million in 2004) and 1.7 million deaths in Europe as a whole. Of those, 2.3 million cases and 1.2 million deaths were in the EU25. Lung, colorectal, breast and stomach cancers were the top four killers, with lung cancer accounting for almost a fifth of all cancer deaths.
'Lung cancer retains its status as the leading cause of cancer death in Europe in 2006,' commented Professor Peter Boyle, Director of the IARC and one of the authors of the paper. 'The overwhelming majority of lung cancer is caused by tobacco smoking, and tobacco control is clearly a number one priority in Europe, not only aimed at men, particularly the male populations of Central and eastern Europe, but increasingly targeted towards women, especially in Northern Europe.'
At the end of January the European Commission launched a public debate on the best way to promote smoke-free environments. A recent Eurobarometer survey found that a large majority of Europeans are in favour of smoking bans in public places.
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