Denmark’s Unfortunate First Place

Over the past ten years, Denmark has made significant progress in cancer treatment. There has been a strong political focus on the area, reforms have been implemented, and substantial financial resources have been allocated. At the same time, Danish basic and clinical cancer research has risen to world-class standards, and our hospital system has been reorganised and strengthened. 
 
Nevertheless, we hold an unfortunate European first place: Denmark is the EU country with the highest incidence of new cancer cases. It is a position we have held for many years, and the incidence is significantly higher than in the next country on the list, Croatia. 
 
Unfortunately, Denmark’s high cancer incidence also means that we have a high cancer mortality rate – even though we have become better at treating cancer. 
 
We want to help change this, and there are good opportunities to do so. Four out of ten cancer cases can be prevented. 
 
Through Prevention Lab, the Danish Cancer Society supports innovative research aimed at preventing cancer and promoting health. This can involve addressing risk-related behaviours such as smoking, alcohol consumption and an unhealthy diet, promoting screening, or pursuing entirely different approaches.