Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Deaths from cancer have been falling across Europe, mainly due to the reduced consumption of tobacco, reveals a new study published 30 November in the Annals of Oncology. One of the lead authors is Fabio Levi of the Cancer Epidemiology Unit at Lausanne’s Chuv.

Cancer mortality rates for men in the years 2000-2004 dropped more than nine percent compared to the period between 1990-1994. For women the mortality rate was reduced 7.5 percent over the same period, reports Science Daily. The study reveals great variations between countries, due primarily to changes in patterns of tobacco consumption: in men fewer deaths are attributable to smoking, while women have increased their consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Improved diagnostic testing and treatment of certain cancers have also reduced mortality rates.

For women the highest mortality rates were in Denmark, Hungary and Scotland, while the lowest were in Spain, Greece and Portugal. For men, mortality rates were highest in Hungary, Czech Republic and Poland, while the lowest rates were in Sweden, Finland and Switzerland.

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.