Cancer second leading cause of death in Berlin

Cancer killer number two in Berlin and Brandenburg

02.02.2013

Cancer is the „Cause of death number 2 in the states of Berlin and Brandenburg“, Thus, the announcement of the Office of Statistics Berlin-Brandenburg on the occasion of the World Creed Day on 4 February. According to official figures, 8,771 citizens died of malignant tumors in Berlin in 2011. More than a quarter of Berlin's deaths are caused by cancer.

According to a report from the State Statistical Office, the diagnosis in Brandenburg in 2011 was 7,450 „Malignant neoplasms“ which also accounted for more than a quarter of total deaths. In Berlin (4,660 men, 4,111 women) and in Brandenburg (4,187 men and 3,263 women), more men died of cancer than women. In both countries, malignant neoplasms are the second leading cause of death behind cardiovascular diseases.

More than a quarter of the deaths caused by cancer
In Berlin, 28 percent of all deaths, in Brandenburg 26.7 percent of all deaths in 2011 on a cancer disease, according to the release of the State Statistics Office. In both countries, the number of cancer deaths rose again slightly compared to the previous year. Most deaths were due „Malignant neoplasms of the digestive organs“ (Berlin 2,530 deaths, Brandenburg 2,309 deaths) as well „Malignant neoplasms of the respiratory organs and other organs within the thorax“ (Berlin 2.215, Brandenburg 1.552), reports the Office of Statistics. The official press release also indicates that „75,764 Berliners and 46,750 Brandenburg residents“ had to be hospitalized for cancer in 2011. Malignant neoplasms of the larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs were the most frequent causes of treatment, with 13,830 cases in Berlin and 7,126 cases in Brandenburg. Women were according to the statistical office „Mainly because of the diagnosis breast cancer treated inpatient.“ In Berlin this affected 6,295 patients, in Brandenburg 3,944 patients.

Intensify cancer prevention, adjust treatment procedures
Also, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg has on the occasion of World Cancer Day next Monday with a press release under the heading „Cancer and demographic change - a challenge“ turned to the public. According to the expert, the rising cancer rates of an aging society in the coming years will increasingly hit Germany as well. According to Professor Otmar D. Wiestler, Chairman of the Board of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), this is an enormous challenge for cancer research and cancer medicine. „We need to step up cancer prevention, because prevention is a great opportunity for those who are young and healthy today. It is also important to adapt treatment procedures for the elderly patient“, says Prof. Wiestler.

Demographic change as a challenge for cancer medicine
The dramatic increase in cancer deaths can be seen by comparing the development of the average age and the average age of onset of cancer patients. According to the DKFZ, the average age at which cancer is diagnosed is 69 years for men and 68 years for women. Overall, life expectancy in Germany is within just two generations „from just 60 years to more than 14 (women) or more than 13 years (men)“ rose, reports the DKFZ. As a result, most people today pass the critical age for cancer throughout their lives. Even the baby boomers of the 1950s and 1960s reach this critical age. Thus, for demographic reasons, a significant increase in cancer can be expected, but this can be counteracted by improved preventive and therapeutic measures. „The most important goal of most people is to experience the years of their life in good health“, emphasized Prof. Wiestler and added: „Even in old age, health-conscious behavior helps to reduce the risk of cancer.“

Cancer screening reduces the number of cancer deaths
According to the data of the German Cancer Research Center can „In addition to a health promoting lifestyle, participating in screening tests can help prevent cancer in old age.“ For example, the experts have „calculates that the colorectal cancer screening we conduct today will significantly reduce the incidence and death rate of colorectal cancer in the coming years - especially in the older age groups“, explained Prof. Hermann Brenner from the DKFZ. Even now, a decline in the annual number of cases of colon cancer can be seen, „although due to the demographic development actually an increase would be expected.“ If not many Germans would be prepared for the worst, this effect could be even more pronounced. But „Unfortunately, men in particular are still rarely aware of early detection examinations“, says Prof. Brenner. (Fp)

Also read:
Cancer of the parents increases the familial risk
Blind Mice Through Collective Cell Death Cancer Immune
Research: Killer cells produced against cancer
Chinese medicine: triple action against cancer

Picture credits: tokamuwi