As of: February 6, 2024, 9:48 a.m
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
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In addition to colon cancer, the most common types of cancer include breast cancer and prostate cancer.
The prognosis is better these days, also thanks to new therapies.
Cancer is the second most common cause of death globally after cardiovascular diseases, as
reported by the
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) .
According to the
World Health Organization (WHO),
around 8.2 million people die from malignant tumors every year - by 2050, experts suspect that cancer cases will increase by 77 percent.
Thanks to early detection measures and new treatment options, the five-year survival rate for the most common cancers is currently over 50 percent in many cases - the prognosis for colon cancer is around 65 percent after ten years, and for prostate cancer it is even over 90 percent.
Better prognosis in general after a cancer diagnosis
Cancer cells usually divide very quickly, allowing tumors to grow quickly.
© Science Photo Library/Imago
Thanks to significant progress in cancer research, the possibilities for early detection, diagnosis and, in particular, the treatment of cancer have improved significantly in Germany in recent years.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI),
the absolute five-year survival rate
across all types of cancer is currently 50 percent for men and 58 percent for women, as reported by the
Federal Ministry of Health (BMG)
.
Experts estimate that around 4.5 million people in Germany are currently living with acute or already recovered cancer, around half of whom have a survival rate of 50 percent or more.
Since 2019, the mortality rate has fallen on average by 27 percent for men and by around 17 percent for women.
Better prognosis especially for breast cancer and prostate cancer
The average life expectancy even with advanced breast cancer is around two to four years after the first appearance of metastases, according to the
German Cancer Society (DKG)
.
However, around a quarter of patients survive after five years, and one in ten affected lives ten years or longer.
Survival rates after a breast cancer diagnosis could also be improved through targeted therapies.
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Compared to the frequency of prostate cancer, the death rate has continuously decreased since 2007.
The five-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer is 91 percent.
About two-thirds of tumors are diagnosed at an early stage, so the relative ten-year survival rate is 89 percent.
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Colon cancer and lung cancer: Targeted therapies contribute to higher survival rates
According to the
German Cancer Society (DKG),
a particularly promising therapeutic approach is, in addition to immunotherapy, so-called targeted therapies for colon cancer and lung cancer. The relative five-year survival rate for women with colon cancer is over 65 percent and for men it is around 64 percent – even after ten years there is still a probability of 62 or 57 percent.
Even advanced and certain types of lung cancer can be treated relatively well thanks to new treatment options, so that after five years a chance of survival of around 60 percent can still be assumed.
Prevent cancer by avoiding risks
Around 35 percent of cancer cases are caused by an unhealthy diet.
Known causative factors include genetic predisposition, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive UV radiation and HPV infections, which are considered triggers for cervical cancer.
Despite the possibility of avoiding certain risk factors, there is ultimately no absolute protection against cancer.
Nevertheless, it can be helpful to know the relevant symptoms and interpret them early on, as in many cases the earlier a tumor is discovered, the better the prognosis and the possible chance of a cure.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.