Cancer represents a growing public health challenge across European countries and the wider region, with incidence levels increasing steadily over the past decades. Across both EU Member States and neighbouring European countries, historical data reveal a clear upward trend in the number of cancer cases, driven by population ageing, lifestyle-related risk factors, environmental influences and improved diagnostic capacity. Countries such as Cyprus, Greece, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Serbia, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Romania, experience similar patterns of rising cancer incidence, highlighting a shared and pressing regional challenge. What was once a gradual rise has evolved into a sustained and measurable increase, placing growing pressure on healthcare systems and cancer care infrastructure across Europe.
In Cyprus, cancer incidence has followed a consistent upward trajectory since the late 1990s. Data from the Ministry of Health of Cyprus, for the years 1998-2022, indicate a steady rise in the absolute number of diagnostic cases, a trend that is expected to continue in the coming years. Projections suggest that cancer cases will reach approximately 4986 in 2025, increasing to 5802 by 2030, 6676 by 2030, and around 7607 by 2040. Breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancers remain the most prevalent, while the increasing share of cases classified as ‘other’ cancers reflects a progressively more complex oncological landscape.
In Greece, cancer represents one of the most significant and persistent health burdens. Incidence levels remain high, affecting a substantial percentage of the population, and are projected to rise further over the coming decades. Although historical data can be concatenated and from scared resources, the number of new cancer incidences in 2022 was 65703 based on the Global Cancer Observatory. It is expected that the total number of cancer cases will reach approximately 65235 in 2025, increasing to 68021 by 2030, 70940 by 2035, and around 74000 by 2040. Breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancers continue to account for a substantial proportion of diagnoses, while a wide range of other cancer types contribute to the overall disease burden, highlighting the scale and complexity of cancer care needs in the country.
In Slovenia, in 2022, new cancer cases were 19032, according to the Institute of Oncology of Ljubljana. Cancer incidences have increased steadily over time, reflecting demographic changes and rising life expectancy. This upward trend is projected to continue, with cancer cases expected to reach approximately 18535 in 2025, rising to 20693 by 2030, 22903 by 2035 and around 25164 by 2040. The cancer profile is dominated by breast, prostate, colorectal and lung cancers, underscoring the growing heterogeneity of the disease burden.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, cancer incidence remains substantial, as by the year 2020, it has reached 5035 new incidences, based on the Institute for Public Health FB&H. Although projections suggest more moderate growth and eventual stabilisation compared to other countries in the region. The number of cancer cases is expected to reach approximately 5328 in 2025, increase to 5452 by 2030 and 5461 by 2035, before slightly declining to around 5355 cases by 2040. Despite the stabilisation that comes from the projections of the declining population of the country, cancer continues to pose a significant challenge, with lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancers among the most common.
Behind each of these figures are individuals, families and communities facing the physical, emotional, and economic burden of the disease. Across Europe and the wider region, the sustained increase or persistently high level of cancer incidence highlights an urgent need for proactive and forward-looking action. As diagnoses continue to rise, the demand for timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and innovative therapeutic solutions becomes increasingly critical.
Against this backdrop, the IFIGENEIA project addresses key challenges in modern nuclear medicine by introducing advanced LINAC (Linear Accelerator) technology. The project aims to enable the production of new medical radioisotopes, including Lu-177, which play a crucial role in targeted radionuclide therapies. By strengthening regional radioisotope production capacity, IFIGENEIA is expected to enhance security of supply, support innovation in cancer treatment and contribute to the opening and development of the radiopharmaceutical market, improving patient access to advanced therapies while fostering growth and technological progress across Europe.
Historical and forecasted cancer incidence, 1998-2040
Source: Own analysis, based on publicly available data