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Lung cancer death rate in Germany increased again in women
Life expectancy with cancer has increased throughout Europe in recent years. In addition, millions of deaths can be prevented through early detection and better therapies. However, although the overall death rate is falling, experts are alarmed by individual types of cancer: women are particularly worried about the lung cancer cases.
More new cancer diagnoses in Germany
According to a report released late last year, the number of new cancer diagnoses in Germany since 1970 has almost doubled. At the same time, however, life expectancy with cancer has also increased and the mortality rate has fallen. However, this does not apply equally to all cancers. Lung cancer deaths in women are increasing dramatically. This is also shown by a recent study by an international team of scientists.
According to a new study, the death rate for cancer in the European Union (EU) as a whole is falling; but less strong in women than in men. However, the lung cancer mortality rate among German women is increasing. (Image: Nonwarit /fotolia.com) Early detection should be optimized
According to a study by researchers from Italy, Switzerland and the US, the death rate for cancer is falling overall in the European Union (EU), but less so in women than in men, the news agency dpa reports.
In the EU, it is estimated that more than 1.3 million people will die from the disease in 2017. However, the cancer mortality rates in the EU countries are very different, the scientists report in the journal "Annals of Oncology".
According to the authors, policymakers should optimize not only tobacco control but also early detection across Europe.
Death rate among women does not decrease so much
Study Director Carlo La Vecchia from the University of Milan said, "Overall, fewer women than men will die of cancer," according to a report from the journal.
But while the death rate from cancer in men is expected to be eight percent lower this year than it was in 2012, it will be much less pronounced for women in the four percent period.
Researchers explain this by saying that smoking was different in both sexes in different generations and lung cancer was increasing in women.
The fact that the long-term consequences of smoking, in particular, are the reason why the number of deaths among women will increase in the future has already been shown in earlier studies.
Lung cancer death rate among German women is increasing
According to the current prognosis, the rate of death from lung cancer among women in Germany will rise by just under nine percent in 2017 compared to 2012, while it will decline in men to a similar extent.
Although breast cancer is currently the most common oncological cause of death among women in the EU, it is likely to be second only to lung cancer this year.
"The predicted continued increase in the mortality rate among women with lung and pancreatic cancer underscores the need for effective tobacco control for women in Europe," said co-author Fabio Levi of the University of Lausanne.
The researchers expect that a total of 275,700 people in the EU will die of lung cancer this year. This corresponds to a share of 20 percent of all expected cancer deaths.
Four million cancer deaths avoided
However, the experts also see encouraging signs. For example, the death rates for cervix, prostate, breast, stomach and colon cancer as well as leukemia will decrease.
That the trend is different not only in lung cancer but also in the pancreas disease is related to the lack of progress in the detection, treatment and prevention of pancreatic cancer.
According to a report by "MedcialXpress" Professor Carlo La Vecchia emphasized the positive development of the last decades. He said, "The fact that we have managed to avoid more than four million cancer deaths over the past thirty years demonstrates the effectiveness of strategies to prevent and detect and treat cancer as it develops."
Diseases often preventable
About one third of all cancers worldwide are considered preventable. The cancer risk can be significantly reduced. When it comes to cancer prevention measures, it is above all the fight against smoking.
"Currently, more than 72,000 cancer cases in Germany are attributable to smoking every year. Tobacco use is not only a risk factor for lung cancer, but tumors can also develop in the throat and larynx, esophagus, intestine or lower urinary tract, "the Center for Cancer Registry Data (ZfKD) at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported last year Website. "Even stomach, kidney or pancreas can be affected," it continues.
Other ways to reduce the risk of personal cancer are to exercise regularly, to respect a healthy diet, to avoid obesity and to limit alcohol consumption. (Ad)