A quarter of cancer deaths

Cancer causes a quarter of deaths in Germany

04/02/2013

Cancer is the cause of around 26 percent of deaths in Germany, according to the Federal Statistical Office's statement on the occasion of today's World Cancer Day. Stay that way „Although cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease, the proportion of all deaths has risen by almost 25 percent over the past 30 years“, during the „Proportion of cardiovascular disease in this period almost equally decreased (- 23 percent)“ be, reports the Federal Office. Cancer is thus on the way to the number one cause of death.

According to information from the Federal Statistical Office, 852,328 people died of cancer in 2011. More than a quarter of deaths in Germany are thus accounted for by cancer. Experts attribute the huge increase in cancer to demographic change and increased life expectancy, respectively. Today, significantly more people are reaching "the critical age for cancer than a few decades ago." The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) explained that "within only two generations, the life expectancy of just 60 years has increased by more than 14 (women) and more than 13 years (men)". Accordingly, the prevalence of cancer has increased significantly.

Cancers of the digestive organs most common cause of cancer death
According to the Federal Statistical Office, cancer among the digestive organs was the most common cause of cancer death among both men and women. In total, 38,531 men succumbed to cancer in the digestive tract, accounting for 32 percent of all cancer-related deaths, reports the Federal Office. Among the women, the cancers of the digestive organs accounted for 30 percent of cancer deaths, with 31,694 deaths, according to the official statement. The second most common lethal cancer in 2011 was lung and bronchial lung cancer, with 31,293 deaths and a 26 percent share of cancer deaths. Breast cancer, with 17,815 deaths and a share of just under 18 percent, was second in cancer death among women.

Massive increase in liver cancer deaths in men
According to the Federal Statistical Office, a particularly worrying development is characterized by male liver cancer. These would have increased the most in the last 30 years. The share of liver cancer deaths in cancer deaths has increased by just under 56 percent since the 1980s. One reason for this, however, is not apparent from the statistics. The use of alcohol would be conceivable, but other aspects could also play a role here. Among women, statisticians recorded the most dramatic increases in cancer deaths from lung, bronchial, laryngeal and tracheal cancer. In 2011, more than twice as often (+ 124 percent) as women 30 years ago, women died of cancer, which can be closely linked to the consumption of tobacco products, reports the Federal Statistical Office.

Healthy lifestyle, early identification and prevention
Overall, cancer is a much more common cause of death today than it was just a few decades ago. However, the statistics also reveal a pleasing trend. The critical age for a deadly cancer is rising. That's how it is „In the last 30 years, the age of people with cancer has increased by 3.1 years to 73 years“, so the message of the Federal Statistical Office. Affected men today would average 72.1 years old, women 74 years. Although this slows down the demographic increase in cancer deaths, it can not abolish it. Experts continue to expect a significant increase in cancer deaths. Here, the reference of the German Cancer Research Center should be taken into account that „In addition to a healthy lifestyle, participating in screening tests can help prevent cancer in old age.“ Thanks to the prevention of colorectal cancer, a reduction in the annual number of cases is already evident today, „although due to the demographic development actually an increase would be expected“, reports the DKFZ.

New law to improve cancer detection
On Friday, the Bundestag in time for today's World Cancer Day also „The Act on the Advancement of Cancer Screening and Quality Assurance by Clinical Cancer Registries (Cancer Awareness and Registration Act)“, so the message of the Federal Ministry of Health. Federal Minister of Health Daniel Bahr explained that this „an important day for the fight against cancer in Germany“ be, because the law allows „On the basis of the preparatory work of the National Cancer Plan, important structural measures to improve cancer screening and the quality of oncological care.“ Here the basis is created to recognize cancer as early as possible and to make the treatment as successful as possible. (Fp)

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Picture: Rainer Sturm