The latest estimates of new cancer cases show a decrease of 1.7% compared with 2022, with 2.7 million new cases in 2024 in the EU Member States. Cancer deaths also decreased by 1.9%. Nonetheless, these 2024 estimates now published in the European Cancer Information System (ECIS) still demonstrate the massive burden that cancer has on our continent and the disproportionate impact it has on some populations making all efforts in implementing the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and addressing inequalities as relevant today as in 2021. 

Geographical variations across the EU

The 2024 EU-27 map of estimated cancer incidence (all sites excluding non-melanoma skin) shows substantial variation across countries. Northern and Western European countries generally display higher incidence rates. In contrast, several Eastern and Southern European countries fall into the lower incidence ranges.

Incidence rates

Source: ECIS – European Cancer Information System – From https://ecis.jrc.ec.europa.eu, accessed on 17/12/2025 – © European Union, 2025

Caption: Estimated number of new cancer cases per 100,000 people, accounted for the different population structures across countries (age-standardisation).

For mortality, Central and Eastern European countries display the highest rates, while many Western and Northern European countries appear in lighter shades, reflecting lower mortality levels.

Differences across countries likely reflect a combination of factors, including screening participation, lifestyle risk factors and healthcare system capacities for early detection.

Mortality rates

Source: ECIS – European Cancer Information System- From https://ecis.jrc.ec.europa.eu, accessed on 17/12/2025 – © European Union, 2025

Caption: Estimated number of cancer deaths per 100,000 people, accounted for the different population structures across countries (age-standardisation).

Estimated incidence and mortality by cancer type for females and males

Source: ECIS – European Cancer Information System- From https://ecis.jrc.ec.europa.eu, accessed on 17/12/2025 – © European Union, 2025

Caption: Estimated age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates by cancer in the EU-27, for females and males.

The most diagnosed: breast cancers in women and prostate cancers in men

Cancer affects men slightly more than women: 54% of new cancer cases and 56% of cancer deaths occur in men. Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the EU.  An estimated 360,000 women were diagnosed with the disease in 2024. Breast cancer accounts for 29% of all cancer diagnoses in women, followed by colorectal, lung, corpus uteri and skin melanoma.

For men, prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer with 22.3%, followed by lung, colorectal, bladder and kidney cancers. 

Looking at mortality, the four most common cancer causes of death both in women and men are lung cancer (19.7% of all cancer deaths), followed by colorectal (12.2%), pancreatic (7.5%), breast cancer (7.3%). These data are important to continue monitoring the effect of cancer screening initiatives at population level and the new approach to early diagnosis put forward in the context of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. 

Source: ECIS – European Cancer Information System – From https://ecis.jrc.ec.europa.eu, accessed on 17/12/2025 – © European Union, 2025 

Do cancer incidence and mortality differ by age? 

The new data also show clear age-related patterns in both cancer incidence and mortality. 

The lifetime risk (0-74 years) to be diagnosed with cancer is 30% for men and 25% for women according to 2024 estimates. Corresponding risks to die for cancer are 13% for mean and 8% for women.

Younger people (0-44 years) have a higher share of breast, thyroid and melanoma cases, while in middle age (45–64 years) breast, lung and colorectal cancers become more prominent. 

Among those aged 65+, colorectal, prostate and lung cancers represent a substantial share, showing how age affects the type of cancer diagnosed.

Incidence and mortality by cancer type

For mortality, lung cancer is dominant cause for those over the age of 45, whereas for people younger than 45, deaths from breast and brain cancers prevail. In the younger age group, deaths are more evenly distributed among several cancer types, whereas in older adults, lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers account for a large proportion of deaths. 

ECIS – European Cancer Information System – From https://ecis.jrc.ec.europa.eu, accessed on 17/12/2025 – © European Union, 2025

New quality standards to tackle the burden of breast cancer 

This year, the Joint Research Centre has also released  a quality assurance scheme for breast cancer care, offering a set of quality and safety standards to EU women, from screening to end-of-life care. 

This will elevate care where needed, ensuring essential levels of quality, equally accessible across Europe. contributing to equal access to healthcare services, regardless of the region where women are affected by the disease. 

The European Commission is also supporting Member States in increasing their population’s participation in screening programmes. This is part of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, aiming to increase screening coverage for eligible individuals for breast, colorectal and cervical cancers. It answers to the 2022 Council recommendations on cancer screening that emphasise early detection and extend population screening to lung, prostate, and gastric cancer screening.

Our new cancer estimates show that these six cancer types account for 53.4% of all new cancer cases and 50.4% of cancer deaths in the EU in 2024.

Why do we present estimates and not timely statistics?

Delays in reporting cancer diagnoses affect timely cancer statistics: this is the reason why the number of new cancer cases are estimated for the most recent years.

These national estimates are  based on recorded data from European population-based cancer registries with whom the JRC collaborates. The JRC hosts the European Network of Cancer registries secretariat and partners with Member States in the CancerWatch Joint Action, including 58 population-based cancer registries from 29 countries. The estimates are also part of a collaboration between the European Commission and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the specialised cancer agency of the World Health Organization. They  will be included into the Global Cancer Observatory  in 2026.  

Related content

European Cancer Information System

ECIS Data Explorer: 2024 estimates