New statistics on cancer prevalence from EUROCARE-6

One in 20 people in Europe have faced a cancer diagnosis. Breast and prostate cancers are the most commonly diagnosed, with prostate cancer accounting for 40% of male cancer survivors.

The prevalence estimates are based on a new European-Commission-backed analysis of data from the EUROCARE-6 study, monitoring survival and care of cancer patients across Europe. The findings were published in Lancet Oncology.

In the 29 European countries contributing to the study, an estimated 23.7 million people have faced a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, out of 477.9 million inhabitants. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of people living with cancer increased by 3.5% per year (a 41% increase overall), partly due to an ageing population.

Prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, urinary bladder cancer, skin melanoma and kidney cancer were the most common tumours in male survivors.