BREATHING IN A NEW ERA
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LUNG CANCER POLICIES ACROSS EUROPEEpidemiological trends in Europe paint a mixed picture
Figure 5 shows lung cancer incidence rates over the last 27 years; our countries fall within a range of
between 23 and 55 cases per 100,000 per year. Sweden appears to have consistently low incidence rates
in comparison with the other countries, whereas the Netherlands has a consistently elevated rate.
Otherwise, the picture is mixed. For example, Norway and Romania have experienced upward trends,
while Belgium and Finland have seen significant falls. Until 2011, the UK also had declining rates, but
since then the rate has stabilised.
In terms of mortality, lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer in Europe.^24 Figure 6 shows mortality
rates. Many countries with previously high mortality rates, such as Belgium, the UK and the
Figure 5: Lung cancer incidence rates, 1990-
(rate per 100,000)0.
10.
20.
30.
40.
50.
0.
10.
20.
30.
40.
50.
1990 92 94 96 98 2000 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16
Austria
Belgium
Finland
France
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Romania
Spain
Sweden
UK
Europe
GlobalSource: Global Burden of Disease, 2017.Figure 6: Lung cancer mortality rates, 1990-
(rate per 100,000)0.
10.
20.
30.
40.
50.
0.
10.
20.
30.
40.
50.
1990 92 94 96 98 2000 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16
Austria
Belgium
Finland
France
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Romania
Spain
Sweden
UK
Europe
GlobalSource: Global Burden of Disease, 2017.