Cancer, responsible for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022, remains the second leading cause of death globally. With the population continuing to grow and age, cancer-related deaths are predicted to rise significantly, reaching 17 million per year by 2045.
However, a recent study by the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) provides encouraging news regarding the fight against cancer in the country. Researchers from the cancer epidemiology and prevention group (Epican), Drs Allini Mafra and Claudine Backes, observed a decrease in cancer mortality in Luxembourg between 1998 and 2021.
The investigation is based on data from the National Register of Causes of Death, managed by the Epidemiology and Statistics Service of the Health Directorate and analyzes nearly 24,000 deaths (23,750 to be precise). It provides detailed analysis of trends by cancer type, gender and age group, using age-standardized mortality rates (ASR) to track progress.
The standardized mortality rate is a statistical tool that allows mortality rates to be compared between different populations, taking into account their age structure. In other words, it allows us to answer the question: what would be the mortality rate of this population if it had the same age structure as a reference population? In our case, the reference here is the European population.
A constant decrease of 2.1% per year
The results of the study are encouraging. The age-standardized mortality rate (ASR) for all cancers decreased by 2.1% per year, illustrating the progress made in prevention, early detection and innovative treatments. However, some types of cancer are more problematic. For example, increases in mortality rates from laryngeal and lung cancer in adult women, as well as Hodgkin’s lymphoma in men, have been observed.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of death among men, followed by colorectal and prostate cancers. Among women, breast cancer remains the leading cause of death. Even more worrying, more than four in five deaths from cancer occur in people aged 60 and over. “We cannot ignore the challenges posed by our aging population,” analyzes Dr. Allini Mafra.
Despite these good results, researchers insist on the need to continue public health efforts, in particular by further strengthening the National Cancer Plan. “While decreasing cancer mortality rates is promising, it is crucial to explore innovative approaches to prevention, early detection and treatment, and implement the findings on the ground to achieve lasting improvements in the fight against cancer,” concludes Dr. Claudine Backes.
