In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the 5 countries with the highest rates of Cancer. For a quick overview of the disease and its global impact in recent years, read our article on the 20 Countries With Highest Rates of Cancer.
5. France
Cancer Incidence Rate: 320.1
Cancer continued to be the leading cause of premature death in French men and the second leading cause in French women, resulting in a total of 157,400 deaths in 2018. The increase in cancer-related deaths, accounting for 78% in men and 57% in women, can be attributed to the combined effects of population growth and aging. As of 2023, France is projected to witness no less than 433,136 new cases of cancer, with 57% affecting men and 43% affecting women. Since 1990, the incidence of cancer has doubled for both genders, encompassing all types of cancer. In comparison to the data reported in 2018 (updated every five years), there has been an alarming increase of approximately 51,000 additional cases.
4. Hungary
Cancer Incidence Rate: 321.6
Hungary’s cancer incidence and mortality rates significantly surpass the EU average. In 2019, Hungary recorded the highest cancer-related mortality rate among EU countries. Over the past decade, Hungary has made significant progress in cancer treatment at the national level, resulting in decreased mortality rates for most types of cancer. Notably, stomach cancer saw the most substantial improvement, with a 28% decrease between 2011 and 2019. Despite these improvements, internationally, Hungary’s estimated cancer incidence and associated mortality rates exceeded EU averages between 2019 and 2020.
3. Belgium
Cancer Incidence Rate: 322.8
In 2021, Belgium recorded 74,998 new cancer diagnoses, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer. This disease impacts approximately one in three men and one in four women before they reach the age of 75. As per the Belgian Foundation Against Breast Cancer, approximately 11,000 individuals receive a breast cancer diagnosis each year in Belgium, accounting for 188 cases per 100,000 women. These figures position Belgium with the highest rate of breast cancer among its population worldwide.
2. Ireland
Cancer Incidence Rate: 326.6
The leading cause of death among the Irish, cancer accounts for roughly 30% of all mortalities within the country. Approximately 44,000 individuals in Ireland are estimated to receive a cancer diagnosis annually, encompassing both invasive (capable of spreading beyond their origin) and non-invasive tumors (cancers that do not spread). This figure also accounts for non-melanoma skin cancers, which are the most prevalent type of cancer in Ireland. Based on the most recent available research, there are now over 24,000 invasive cases diagnosed each year, comprising 13,027 in men and 11,299 in women.
1. Denmark
Cancer Incidence Rate: 334.9
With a cancer rate at 334.9 people per 100,000 among men and women combined, Denmark ranks as the country with the highest rate of cancer. The most common group of new cancer cases diagnosed in Denmark in 2020 was gastrointestinal, with around 8.1 thousand new cases. Skin cancer was the second most common, with approximately 7.3 thousand new cases that year.
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