CANCER CASES

The number of newly diagnosed cancer cases has increased by nearly 60% since 1995.

Cancer incidence in Europe rose from 2.1 million new cases in 1995 to 3.2 million in 2022, largely driven by population aging. Projections indicate the annual number could reach 4.1 million by 2050 if no further improvements in prevention occur. While demographic factors contribute to this predicted rise, changes in exposure to risk factors - smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, UV radiation from the sun, HPV infection, etc. – will also play a role. Around 30-50% of new cancer cases are linked to these risk factors and are therefore theoretically avoidable. Almost every second man and more than every third woman in the EU are expected to be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lives before turning 85.