Iceland has highest rates of cure of cancer and Poland has lowest, study shows

doi:10.1136/bmj.b1262

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Roger Dobson

¹Abergavenny

The number of patients considered cured of cancer in Europe is rising, but there are wide geographical differences, a study has shown.

Data from a long running study of cancer survival in Europe show that the number of people estimated to be cured, rather than surviving for at least five years after diagnosis, is steadily increasing (European Journal of Cancer 2009:45:901-1094).

The researchers define cured as a patient who has been treated successfully for cancer and who has a life expectancy equal to that of the rest of the population of the same sex and age.

The proportion of patients estimated to be cured of lung, stomach, and colorectal cancers increased from 6% …