In 2017 most common cancer deaths in Malta were colorectal and breast

Giulia Magri Monday, 4 February 2019, 08:31 Last update: about 6 years ago

In 2017 the most common cancer deaths in males were lung cancer followed by colorectal cancer, whilst for females it was colorectal cancer which was followed by breast cancer. According to spokesperson of the Ministry for Health in 2017, 948 persons died from malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumours) in Malta. 529 were males and 419 were females.

In 2016, there were 297 new cases of breast cancer in females, and 112 new cases of colorectum cancer in females. In the case of males there were 217 new cases of prostate cancer were recorded and 141 new cases of colorectum cancers which were recorderd.

Regarding incidence in 2016 there were 1,034 new cases of malignant cancers in males and 963 new cases in females. These exclude non melanotic skin cancer. In regards mortality in 2016, there were 503 males’ deaths and 429 female deaths.

In 2018 Malta ranked 41 in Global cancer rates: World Cancer Research Fund

According to World Cancer Research Fund, Malta ranked 41 out of 50 countries, cancer rate for men and women, 249.4 people per 100,000.

World Cancer Research Fund stated that the age-standardised rate for all cancers (including non-melanoma skin cancer) for men and women combined was 197.9 per 100,000 in 2018. The rate was higher for men (218.6 per 100,000) than women (182.6 per 100,000).

When looking at cancer rate in males, Malta ranked lowest, placing 50, where 261.1 men per 100,000 had cancer. As regards women, Malta ranked place 30, where 245.5 women per 100,000 had cancer. The highest cancer rate for men and women together was in Australia, at 468.0 people per 100,000.

2019 theme for World Cancer Day is ‘I am and I will’

World Cancer Day falls on the 4 February and the 2019-2021 theme is ‘I am and I will’ campaign. The concept of the campaign is to act as an empowering call to action, urging for personal commitments and represents the power of individual action taken now to impact the future. World Cancer Day is to promote research, prevent cancer, improve patient services and raise awareness on a global scale. It also targets misinformation and reduce stigma of the discussion of different types of cancer. According to World Health Organization, around 9.6 million people worldwide were estimated to die from cancer in 2018 and that 30-40% of cancers could be prevented, by reducing exposure to cancer risk factors including diet, nutrition and physical activity.