Poles have a higher mortality rate from this cancer than other Europeans

A report from the Swedish Institute for Health Economics (IHE), shared at the Economic Forum in Karpacz, shows that since 2000, new lung cancer cases in men have dropped by 22%, while cases among women have surged by 95%. In Poland, this trend is alarming, as lung cancer is increasingly affecting younger individuals, and access to the latest treatments remains limited.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Poland.

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Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in Poland, historically affecting men more, but by 2021, new cancer cases among women surpassed those in men.

In response, the Swedish Institute for Health Economics (IHE) created specialized Cancer Dashboards for both women's cancers and lung cancer to address these trends. 

Lung cancer rates soar among Polish women while declining in men

According to the Polish National Cancer Registry, about 21,000 new lung cancer cases are reported annually, largely due to the aging population and long-term risk factors like smoking and air pollution.

Despite stable overall numbers, the IHE notes a 22% drop in male lung cancer cases since 2000, while cases in women have surged by 95%, signaling a dramatic shift in risk dynamics.

The IHE Lung Cancer Dashboard for Poland, authored by Bardha Manxhuki and Thomas Hofmarcher and presented at the XXXIII Economic Forum in Karpacz, highlights this shift in gender risk.

The Swedish Institute for Health Economics (IHE) Lung Cancer Dashboard for Poland

While Poland has improved lung cancer survival rates in the past five years, it still lags behind countries like Sweden and Austria.

A major issue is limited access to innovative treatments like immunotherapy and targeted therapy, despite their potential to revolutionize care.

Limited access to modern therapies hampers lung cancer treatment in Poland

Dr. Hofmarcher, a cancer policy expert at IHE, stresses the need for a standardized treatment pathway to reduce diagnosis and treatment times and ensure equal access to modern therapies.

Currently, only 35% of lung cancer centers in Poland are accredited to perform essential diagnostic tests required for advanced treatments.

Hofmarcher notes that although survival rates in Poland have improved, access to innovative treatments remains underutilized.

He emphasizes the importance of establishing a standardized diagnostic and treatment pathway and ensuring equal access to modern medications, which could significantly shorten treatment times and improve patient outcomes.

Source: PAP/Cancer Research UK/ The Swedish Institute for Health Economics (IHE) Lung Cancer Dashboard for Poland

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