Making progress against cancer in Europe in 2008.

Europe is facing a cancer epidemic, with rapidly increasing incidence rates. Population growth and ageing will further increase the annual number of new patients with cancer. Cancer is a huge and growing contributor to the burden of disease and premature death within the European Union (EU). One in four of all deaths in the EU is attributable to cancer, and in the age range 45-64 years, the figure is almost one in two deaths. The 27 EU Member States differ greatly in cancer incidence, mortality and survival. Yet at least one-third of the cancer burden is preventable and a further third can be detected early and treated effectively, even on the basis of existing knowledge. "Cancer", however,…