21.11.2024 - The OECD and European Commission’s Health at a Glance: Europe 2024 report highlights a significant health crisis in the European Union, where preventable lifestyle factors play a substantial role in cancer-related deaths. Cancer accounted for 1.15 million deaths in 2021—22% of all deaths in the EU. While cancer is the second leading cause of death overall, in five EU countries, it is already the primary cause.
Crucially, the report reveals that preventable risk factors are responsible for nearly half of cancer deaths in men and over a third in women. These findings underline the urgent need to address modifiable lifestyle factors to reduce the burden of cancer across the EU.
Key preventable risk factors
The report identifies several lifestyle factors that significantly contribute to cancer incidence and mortality:
Tobacco: Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of cancer in Europe, responsible for nearly 500,000 deaths in the EU in 2021. It is the primary driver of lung cancer and a significant contributor to many other cancer types.
Alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol use is a significant public health issue, linked to several chronic conditions, including various cancers. Modeling by the OECD projects that between 2020 and 2050, alcohol consumption exceeding one drink per day for women and 1.5 drinks for men could result in over 125,000 premature deaths annually in the EU.
Unhealthy diets: Poor nutrition increases the risk of several cancers. Diets high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats contribute to the development of cancer and other chronic diseases.
Obesity: Excess body weight is associated with an increased risk of multiple cancers, including colorectal, breast, and endometrial cancers.
Occupational risks: Workplace exposure to hazardous substances, such as asbestos, remains a risk factor for certain cancers.
Preventing cancer through lifestyle changes and screening
The report emphasizes that prevention, early detection, and high-quality care are central to reducing cancer mortality. The Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, launched in 2021, focuses on primary prevention alongside early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and improving the quality of life for those impacted by cancer.
Efforts to reduce cancer-related deaths include:
Promoting healthy lifestyles to reduce exposure to preventable risk factors like tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diets, and obesity.
Expanding participation in cancer screening programs to enable early diagnosis.
Strengthening healthcare services to ensure timely and high-quality care for cancer patients.
A collective effort to reduce preventable cancers
The findings from the Health at a Glance: Europe 2024 report call for a unified approach to addressing preventable cancers. By focusing on modifiable risk factors, encouraging healthier lifestyles, and ensuring robust healthcare services, the EU has an opportunity to significantly reduce the devastating impact of cancer on individuals, families, and health systems.
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