The most commonly diagnosed cancers are prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. These account for nearly half of all diagnoses.
The number of cancer cases is increasing. “The number is high because on the one hand our population is growing, the population is increasing,” Liesbet van Eeken, director of the Cancer Registry, told VRT 1.
“On the other hand, we are dealing with an ageing population; people are getting older. The risk of cancer increases with age. As a result, we always see a significant increase in the number of cases. And if we screen and detect actively, this also contributes to the increase in numbers.”
We are less likely to die from cancer. Ten years ago, 60% of patients were still alive five years after diagnosis, now it is 70%. “This is of course related to the fact that lung cancer is less common in men. On the other hand, treatment has improved, we have better techniques for surgery and radiotherapy. There is also chemotherapy, which has led to great progress in immunotherapy.”
Health tips to avoid cancer
40% of cancers are preventable. Van Eken recommends: “Don’t smoke, don’t drink too much, exercise well, avoid the sun, and participate in screening programs for breast, cervical and colon cancer.”
