New data on successful cure rates for cancer

New data and analysis from research on cancer survival rates in Europe shows that the number of people cured completely - not just surviving at least 5 years after treatment - is gradually increasing. up.

A special issue in the European Journal of Cancer published a report from EUROCARE-4 Research Group, which for the first time included an assessment of the proportion of patients cured of cancer in Europe. The study divided the number of patients into two groups - those who were able to be cured or likely to die from another event, and those who died of cancer.

The study compared two periods - 1988-1990 and 1997-1999 - and found that the proportion of patients cured of lung, stomach and intestinal cancer increased from 6% to 8%, from 15%, respectively. to 18%, and from 42% to 49%.

Dr. Riccardo Capocacci of the National Center for Easy Learning, Control and Health Care (Rome, Italy) said: 'The proportion of patients cured of lung, stomach and intestinal cancer from the same period 1988-1990 and 1997-1999 increased significantly. This rate is not affected by 'start time' (early diagnosis and treatment), so this trend shows progress in cancer control '.

However, like other articles on the special issue of EJC, the report on the proportion of patients cured of cancer also showed significant differences between countries in Europe.

For all types of cancer, most men (47%) are cured in Iceland, and most women (59%) are cured in France and Finland, while Poland has a proportion of men. (21%) and women (38%) are cured the lowest.

Dr. Capocaccia said : 'For all types of cancer, the number of patients cured has differences between countries, from 21% to 47% in men, and 38% to 59% in women. female. This ratio, therefore, shows differences in cancer control in countries, as it reflects the diagnosis and treatment process, as well as the success of preventing dangerous cancers. Best'.

'Geographical differences in the proportion of diagnosed patients in the period 1988-1999 and cured are between 4% and 10% for lung cancer, 9% to 27% for cancer. stomach, and 25% to 49% for colon and rectal cancer, and 55% to 73% for breast cancer '.

For example, Denmark, the Republic of the Republic and Poland have the lowest rate of cured lung cancer patients (less than 5%), while this rate is highest in France and Spain (more than 10%). . For colon cancer, less than 30% of patients are cured in Poland, Czech Republic and Slovenia, but 49% are cured in France. In Finland, France, Spain and Sweden, about 73% of breast cancer patients are cured, in monkeys this rate is less than 60% in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovenia.

For prostate cancer, the proportion of men cured has a link to the level of PSA testing activity rather than the effectiveness of treatment. France leads with more than 60% of male patients cured, while this figure is 14% in Denmark. The difference is largely due to cases detected early through PSA testing, so prostate cancer is not fatal and may not even cause any significant symptoms.

Cancer cell (Photo: khcnnamdinh.vn)

For breast cancer, the results show a gap of about 10% between Poland, Republic of the Republic, Slovenia and Western European countries. Dr. Capocaccia said: 'A part of this difference is due to the birth of breast cancer diagnosis system from the 1990s in some European countries. If this is true, then the diagnosis is the factor that saves the lives of women with breast cancer. ' The EUROCARE study began in 1990 and is the largest epidemiological study of the survival rate of cancer patients in Europe. The most recent version, EUROCARE-4, includes data from 23 European countries, covering a total population of about 151.4 million people, equivalent to 35% of the total population in these countries. EUROCARE-4 data includes a record of more than 1 3,500,000 cancer patients diagnosed during the period 1978-2002.

In addition to the statistics on the proportion of patients cured, data on the EJC include a comparison of survival rates between the elderly and the middle-aged, between men and women and the survival rate in children.

The survival rate of the elderly (70-99 years) is lower than that of middle-aged patients (55-69 years). Dr. Capocaccia said: 'This is due to the stage of diagnosis when diagnosing, other serious conditions, and lack of proper and necessary care. This difference can be seen clearly in women. During the period 1995-2002, survival rates in patients aged 70-84 years improved less than those aged 55-69 years, further deepening the difference in survival rates between the two age groups. this. This difference focuses primarily on the first year after diagnosis: showing that older patients are often diagnosed too late. '

Women are more likely to live longer than men and have a higher chance of surviving chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. The survival rate of women is higher than that of men for 21 out of 26 cancers, with the survival rate of both sexes being counted. Significant differences are found in cancers of the head and neck, bone, thyroid and stomach, as well as melanoma in the skin. Women have a lower survival rate for bang, bile, and laryngeal cancer. For all types of cancer, and after adjusting for age and cancer cycle differences by sex, women have a 2% advantage in 5-year survival (52% and 50%). . This advantage in women less than 64 years of age is 4%.

Dr. Capcacci said: 'This suggests that sex hormones may play a role in higher survival rates in women'.

In children, adolescents and young adults, the 5-year survival rate for all types of cancer is 81% in children (0-14 years), and 87% in adolescents and adults. Young city (15-24 years old). From 1995-199 to 2000-2002, the mortality rate after 5 years in young patients decreased by 8% in children, and 13% in adolescents and young adults. The difference in this ratio internationally has also narrowed. Survival improved over time for all types of cancer in young people. This improvement is very pronounced for acute lymphocytes, and central nervous system tumors in children, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adolescents and young people.

Dr. Capcaccia commented: 'The survival rate in patients under 25 years of age is not fully recorded in Eastern European countries. Full records should be a concern in these countries, as part of an effective cancer control policy. '

Professor Alexander MM Eggermont, president of ECCO - European Cancer Organization, welcomed the latest data from EUROCARE-4. 'EUROCARE-4 provides essential information about the survival rate of cancer patients across Europe. Without these valuable information, we cannot assess the progress in diagnosing and treating cancer. It also tells us which types of cancers and which areas in Europe need attention and investment research. '

'The good signal is that, for most types of cancer, the survival rate has increased since the 1980s and 1990s. There are still significant differences between countries, but most of the greatest progress occurs in countries where the rate of cancer curing was very low. '

'Europe is changing, with many countries participating in the European Union, and cancer drugs are changing and improving. This means that many people have more hope for treatment. We need to do our best to meet these expectations by disseminating information about better diagnosis and treatment measures to Europe and the world. This will be achieved through collaboration and communication, and future EUROCARE studies will definitely show our successes. '