Germany has the highest breast cancer death rate

Breast cancer death rate highest in Germany in EU comparison

29/02/2012

In Europe-wide comparison of the expected death rate in breast cancer for the year 2012 Germany is in the lead. The probability of dying from breast cancer is higher in this country than in any other EU country.

The research team around Matteo Malvezzi from the University of Milan has in the trade magazine „Annals of Oncology“ an extrapolation from the anticipated cancer deaths in the European Union in 2012. According to the researchers, Germany has a regrettable leading position in terms of breast cancer death rate. Although in recent years improved screening and therapies have led to a significant reduction in breast cancer death rates in Germany as well.

1.3 million cancer deaths in the EU in 2012
According to the researchers, 1,283,101 people will die as a result of cancer in the EU this year (717,398 men and 565,703 women). While it is unlikely that the figures will be accurately achieved, the researchers believe that some conclusions can be drawn about the development of cancer deaths in the EU. For one thing, it becomes clear that the „standardized total cancer mortality“ Matteo Malvezzi and colleagues report that death has dropped significantly since 2007, to 139 deaths per 100,000 men and 85 deaths per 100,000 women. Compared with 2007, the EU-wide death rate among men has declined by ten percent and in women by seven percent. The most encouraging development in men was observed in the area of ​​deaths from stomach cancer, at minus 20 percent. Leukemia (down 11 percent), lung and prostate cancer (down 10 percent), and colon cancer (down 7 percent) have also seen men die. The women also showed the greatest reduction in the death rate in gastric cancer (minus 23 percent), leukemia (minus 12 percent), and uterine and colon cancer (minus 11 percent). But also the death rate in breast cancer has fallen according to the numbers according to the researchers by nine percent. On the other hand, the increase in lung cancer death rates among women is quite pleasing, rising by seven percent.

Germany with the highest breast cancer death rate
The scientists around Matteo Malvezzi of the University of Milan have also calculated the detailed cancer death rates for the six most populous countries in the EU. They determined „the highest breast cancer death rates in Germany“, as study author Matteo Malvezzi. Be in Germany „16.5 women affected by 100,000“, whereas the EU average is only 14.9 out of 100,000, the Italian expert explained. Although the breast cancer death rate in Germany has also fallen by 7.5 percent since 2007, the EU average was nine percent. Although Germany has an unpleasant leading position here, the overall development of breast cancer is therefore quite positive. Not only was it possible to significantly reduce the death rate of older patients, but the younger women also saw a significant reduction in breast cancer deaths. „The fact that there is a substantial decrease in breast cancer deaths, not only in middle age, but especially among young women, indicates important advances in treatment“, emphasized the co-author of the study, Carlo La Vecchia from the University of Milan. An effect of screening (mammography screening), the researchers do not see in the decline in breast cancer death rate in younger women, as they come in most European countries only from the age of 50 to 70 years to wear.

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women
Despite the decline in breast cancer death rate, breast cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer death in women. In men, lung cancer is responsible for most cancer deaths. Overall, the „six major cancers in the EU“ However, according to the researchers, a clear „Decline in deaths“ on which „the increasing progress in cancer screening, early detection and treatment“ reflects. Positive effects in relation to lung cancer in men also led the researchers to a decline in tobacco consumption. However, lung cancer deaths among women have increased significantly in recent years.

Current figures on cancer deaths in the EU
The scientists of the University of Milan, together with Swiss colleagues, evaluated the World Health Organization (WHO) data from 1970 to 2007 on cancer deaths in 27 EU countries. WHO data have also been updated with more recent figures for the six most populous countries. Based on available data on cancer deaths, the researchers then identified trends for the most common cancers and calculated the expected death rates for 2012. These calculations are current numbers „important to define priorities for prevention and treatment“, the scientists write in the journal „Annals of Oncology“. The data on cancer deaths also showed that the EU's 2003 target of 15 per cent reduction in cancer death rates by 2015 has already been reached today. Compared to the starting year 2003, the death rate for men has already fallen by 18 percent for men and 13 percent for women. While the death rate from cancer has declined significantly in recent years, the number of cancer cases overall in Germany has continued to rise. Although not as many people are dying as in the past directly from the cancer, but not least due to the demographic change and the associated increase in life expectancy, a further increase in cancer is expected in the coming years. (Fp)

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Picture: Rainer Sturm