Number of new cases of cancer diagnosed Spain 2021, by type

It is estimated that more than 276 thousand new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Spain during 2021, of which 159 thousand are expected in men and 117 thousand in women. Bowel cancer, also known as colon cancer, is the type with the highest incidence in the country, with more than 43 thousand new cases estimated for 2021, followed by prostate and breast cancer with 35.8 and 33.4 thousand, respectively.

Cancer-related deaths

In 2019, cancer was responsible for more than 113 thousand deaths in Spain. Lung and bronchial cancer caused the highest number of cancer deaths in the country, accounting for approximately 22 thousand terminal cases. In fact, it was the fourth main cause of death overall, only after coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular disease, and dementia. Lung cancer is highly associated with smoking and is therefore among the most preventable diseases.

Cancer mortality in Europe

In 2018, the mortality rate from cancer in Spain stood at 243.3 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, a figure significantly below the European average. The countries that registered the highest mortality rate in that year were Croatia and Hungary, both with more than 338 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. On the other end of the spectrum, the number of individuals that died from cancer in Iceland, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Cyprus was below 200 per 100,000 for each country.