Cancer epidemic in Europe and Croatia: Current and future perspectives

Aim: The aim of this study has been to compare epidemiological indicators, incidence, and mortality from cancer in Europe and Croatia and to highlight new information, public health significance, and projects that have been implemented in terms of the prevention and early detection of malignant diseases. Subject and methods: We used a wide range of data, ranging from those of the World Health Organization to various European epidemiological databases and the official data of the Croatian National Institute of Public Health and Croatian National Cancer Registry. Results: Cancer is a big public health problem throughout Europe since more than 6,000 Europeans are diagnosed daily, and 3,000 of them die. According to the estimates of the World Health Organization experts, around 84 million people will die from cancer in the next decade, and in 2030 the number of people suffering from cancer will go up to 12 million worldwide. Croatia is experiencing an epidemic of malignant diseases, and it is at the top according to rates for incidence and mortality from cancer in Europe. Progress in the treatment of cancer was achieved thanks to the Fund of Particularly Expensive Drugs and the start of the Prevention Programs and National Program for Early Detection of Cancer. Conclusion: The question is what we can learn from the past to influence the reduction of incidence and mortality from cancer and what measures should be taken in the future to reduce the risk of malignant diseases. Answers certainly lie in the increase of funding for the fight against cancer, in teamwork of experts professionally engaged in tumor pathology, but also in the development of national programs of early detection and prevention of cancer as well as higher public health education. That would ultimately lead to morbidity and mortality reduction. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.