(ANSA) - ROME, 08 OCT - Cancer diagnoses in Italy increase in 2020 compared to last year, but only in women.
In fact, 377,000 new diagnoses are expected this year, 195,000 in men and 182,000 in women (in 2019 they were 196,000 and 175,000).
It is therefore estimated that there are approximately 6,000 more cases than 2019, involving women.
The most diagnosed cancer in 2020 is breast cancer (54,976, equal to 14.6% of new diagnoses), followed by colorectal (43,702), lung (40,882), prostate (36,074).
In particular, in the female sex, the worrying growth of lung cancer continues (+ 3.4% per year), linked to the habit of smoking.
The good news is that the number of people seen after diagnosis is also increasing: they are about 3.6 million (+ 37% compared to 10 years ago).
It emerges from the report 'Cancer numbers in Italy2020', presented to the Istituto Superiore di Sanità.
According to the report, the "case" of the colorectal imposes itself, resulting in a decline in both sexes, thanks to the effectiveness of the screening programs.
In 2020, the incidence rates of this neoplasia are down 20% from the peak in 2013.
Considering all neoplasms, the effectiveness of prevention campaigns and innovative therapies leads to an overall increase in the number of people alive after diagnosis.
At least one in four patients (almost one million people) has returned to have the same life expectancy as the general population and can be considered cured.
Another important figure is that relating to the overall reduction in mortality rates estimated in 2020 compared to 2015: they are decreasing in both men (-6%) and women (-4.2%), thanks to the progress made in diagnosis and treatments.
(HANDLE).