European cancer study reveals significant regional incidence disparities

A study presented at the ESMO Congress in Madrid highlights significant disparities in cancer incidence across the European Union. Based on 2024 estimates from the European Cancer Information System (Ecis), the research shows that a resident's country of residence significantly impacts their risk of developing certain preventable cancers, specifically lung and cervical cancer.

In 2024, an estimated 29,412 excess cases were identified in EU countries with rates above the community average. For lung cancer in men, incidence rates vary from 38 per 100,000 in Sweden to 130 in Hungary. Among women, lung cancer incidence in Denmark is more than four times higher than in Lithuania. Regarding cervical cancer, the incidence in Romania is more than seven times that of Malta.

The analysis, titled ‘Impact of cancer inequalities in Europe on preventable cancers: focus on cervical and lung cancer’, was presented by epidemiologist Diego Serraino. The study quantifies statistical disparities by comparing individual country rates against EU averages to identify the number of excess cases in high-incidence nations.