Country of residence greatly affects cancer risk across Europe

Study presented at ESMO 2026 indicates that the country of residence has a significant impact on cancer risk in Europe, with striking differences especially for cervical cancer and lung cancer; in 2024, this corresponded to 29,412 estimated excess cases in EU Member States with rates above the community average, according to ANSA.

Key findings on cancer and health inequalities

The work showed that the risk of tumors varies widely between European countries, reflecting differences in prevention, screening, and access to care. As presented in Madrid at the ESMO 2026 Congress, highlights include:

• For cervical cancer, incidence in Romania is more than seven times higher than in Malta. This underscores gaps in screening programs and HPV vaccination coverage.
• In the case of lung cancer among women, Denmark recorded a rate more than four times higher than Lithuania, signaling differences in smoking prevalence, tobacco control policies, and exposure to environmental factors.
• In 2024, the estimated inequalities corresponded to 29,412 excess cases in EU countries whose rates were above the community average, based on the study's calculations.
• The authors emphasize that many of these cases would potentially be preventable with primary prevention (vaccination, tobacco control) and secondary prevention (effective screening) interventions.

The observed differences go beyond numbers: they imply variations in health systems, coverage of programs, investment in prevention, and barriers to access to oncology services.

Study and presentation: methodology and authors

The study, titled "Impact of cancer inequalities in Europe on preventable cancers: focus on cervical and lung cancer," was presented at the ESMO 2026 Congress in Madrid. The presentation was led by Diego Serraino, an epidemiologist and consultant for Alleanza contro il cancro and the Rete oncologica nazionale of the Italian Ministry of Health, chaired by Ruggero De Maria, according to ANSA.

The analysis is based on 2024 estimates from the European Cancer Information System (ECIS), cited by the source, allowing comparison of incidence and calculation of excess cases attributable to country-level inequalities. The study focused specifically on cervical cancer and lung cancer because they are largely preventable by proven measures: HPV vaccination, organized cervical screening, and tobacco-control policies.

Relevance for Brazilians and Italian descendants in Europe

For Brazilians and descendants of Italians living, working, or traveling in Europe, the study has practical and informational implications:

• The differences between countries show that where a person resides matters for the risk of developing preventable cancer. This reinforces the importance of understanding local screening and vaccination programs.
• Immigrants and descendants moving between European countries should be aware of prevention recommendations at their place of residence and take advantage of screening opportunities (e.g., cervical cytology/PCR tests) and HPV vaccination when available.
• The findings help contextualize public health debates in Italy—and in other EU states—and may be useful for those following topics related to life in Europe, citizenship, and international mobility. See also content in Vida na Itália and health policy news in Notícias da Itália. Information about displacement and resident health rights may interest those seeking to understand effects of changing country; see also our pages on Cidadania Italiana and updates in Notícias da Itália.

What authorities and prevention experts emphasize

The study authors and oncology prevention specialists emphasize proven measures to reduce inequalities:

• Strengthen HPV vaccination programs to reduce cervical cancer incidence.
• Expand and organize cervical screening with adequate coverage and follow-up for positive cases.
• Reinforce tobacco control policies — taxation, advertising bans, and cessation programs — to reduce the burden of lung cancer, especially among women in countries with high rates.

According to the ESMO 2026 presentation, combining primary and secondary prevention policies with equitable access to health services is essential to reduce the thousands of cases attributed to the observed inequalities.

"The analysis was based on the 2024 estimates from the European Cancer Information System to quantify the impact of country inequalities," as stated by the source.

Conclusion: the Madrid presentation shows that national differences in prevention and access explain a large portion of the variation in incidence of preventable cancer in Europe. For Brazilians and descendants circulating in the continent, the recommendation is to pay attention to vaccines and screenings and to monitor local health policies.

Source: ANSA