Survival of women with cancers of breast and genital organs in Europe 1999–2007: Results of the EUROCARE-5 study. Issue 15 (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sant, Milena; Chirlaque Lopez, Maria Dolores; Agresti, Roberto; Sánchez Pérez, Maria José; Holleczek, Bernd; Bielska-Lasota, Magdalena; Dimitrova, Nadya; Innos, Kaire; Katalinic, Alexander; Langseth, Hilde; Larrañaga, Nerea; Rossi, Silvia; Siesling, Sabine; Minicozzi, Pamela; The EUROCARE-5 Working Group, 1
• Is Part Of: European journal of cancer. Volume 51:Issue 15(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 2191
• Page End: 2205
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Cancer -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Périodiques; Cancer; Tumors; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2015.07.022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-8049

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="en" abstract-type="author" id="ab005"> <title id="st005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="st010">Background</title> <p id="sp0005">Survival differences across Europe for patients with cancers of breast, uterus, cervix, ovary, vagina and vulva have been documented by previous EUROCARE studies. In the present EUROCARE-5 study we update survival estimates and investigate changes in country-specific and over time survival, discussing their relationship with incidence and mortality dynamics for cancers for which organised screening programs are ongoing.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st015">Methods</title> <p id="sp0010">We analysed cases archived in over 80 population-based cancer registries in 29 countries grouped into five European regions. We used the cohort approach to estimate 5-year relative survival (RS) for adult (⩾15 years) women diagnosed 2000–2007, by age, country and region; and the period approach to estimate time trends (1999–2007) in RS for breast and cervical cancers.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st020">Results</title> <p id="sp0015">In 2000–2007, 5-year RS was 57% overall, 82% for women diagnosed with breast, 76% with corpus uteri, 62% with cervical, 38% with ovarian, 40% with vaginal and 62% with vulvar cancer. Survival was low for patients resident in Eastern Europe (34% ovary–74% breast) and Ireland and the United Kingdom [Ireland/UK] (31–79%) and high for those resident in Northern Europe (41–85%) except Denmark. Survival decreased with advancing age: markedly for women with ovarian (71% 15–44 years; 20% ⩾75 years) and breast (86%; 72%) cancers. Survival for patients with breast and cervical cancers increased from 1999–2001 to 2005–2007, remarkably for those resident in countries with initially low survival.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st025">Conclusions</title> <p id="sp0020">Despite increases over time, survival for women's cancers remained poor in Eastern Europe, likely due to advanced stage at diagnosis and/or suboptimum access to adequate care. Low survival for women living in Ireland/UK and Denmark could indicate late detection, possibly related also to referral delay. Poor survival for ovarian cancer across the continent and over time suggests the need for a major research effort to improve prognosis for this common cancer.</p> </sec> </abstract>