Cancer was the second leading cause of death in the European Union in 2021, representing 21.6% of all deaths, equivalent to 1.1 million fatalities. However, cancer survival rates vary widely, reflecting economic and geographic inequalities across the continent. Cancer survival refers to the proportion of people diagnosed who remain alive after a defined period, generally between 1 and 5 years. According to Euronews Health, cited by , these differences result from factors such as the type of cancer and the specific conditions of each country.
2019 data from the OECD and Eurostat reveal that lung cancer was responsible for 24% of cancer deaths among men and 15% among women. Colorectal cancer contributed to 12% of fatalities in both sexes. Prostate cancer accounted for 10% of male deaths, while breast cancer was the cause of 16% of female deaths.
Lung cancer survival
The lung cancer survival rate varies greatly across Europe. Bulgaria records the lowest rate (7.7%), while Switzerland and Latvia lead the way with 20.4%. The EU-24 average is 15%, and Portugal records a rate of 15.7%. Other countries with high values include Iceland (20.2%), Austria (19.7%), Sweden (19.5%) and Norway (19%). At the opposite extreme are Lithuania (9.9%), Croatia (10%) and Romania (11.1%).
Colon cancer survival
The colon cancer survival rate ranges from 51.1% in Croatia to 72.1% in Cyprus, with an average of 60% in the EU-24. Portugal is close to the average, with 60.9%. Nordic countries such as Iceland (68.2%) and Sweden (64.9%) show better results, while Slovakia (51.8%) and Bulgaria (52.4%) occupy the last positions.
Prostate cancer survival
Prostate cancer has one of the highest survival rates, averaging 87% in the EU-24. Cyprus leads with 99.2%, followed by Lithuania (94.3%) and Belgium (93.8%). Portugal records 90.9%, while Bulgaria has the lowest value, with 68.3%.
Breast cancer survival
Breast cancer also records a high survival rate, averaging 82% in the EU-24. Cyprus occupies the top ranking with 92.8%, followed by Nordic countries. Portugal records 87.6%, a figure higher than that of economies such as Spain (85.2%) and France (86.7%). On the other hand, Lithuania and Romania have rates below 75%.
Cancers with lower survival rates
Pancreatic and liver cancers continue to have very low survival rates.
- In the case of pancreatic cancer, survival varies from 5.5% in Malta to 13.7% in Latvia. Portugal records 10.7%, above the EU-24 average (9%).
- In the liver, survival ranges from 4.2% in Estonia to 20.7% in Belgium. Portugal has one of the highest rates in the EU, at 18.7%.
Factors influencing survival
Michel Coleman, professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, explains that differences in survival rates are linked to several factors. “They are very different diseases,” Coleman told Euronews Health. “Lethality depends on location, cell type and proximity to vital organs. For example, a tumor in the brain is much more dangerous than a tumor in the foot.”
Furthermore, disparities between countries result from:
- Early diagnosis: “If cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the chances of survival increase significantly.”;
- Access to treatments: “Radiation therapy, used as a curative treatment for almost half of all cancers, is much more accessible in the rich countries of Western and Northern Europe compared to Eastern and, in some cases, Southern countries.”
These factors highlight the need to improve access to healthcare and promote early diagnosis, especially in the most disadvantaged regions.
Also read:
