Cancer survival in Portugal rises to 66%, but regional and gender gaps remain
Cancer survival in Portugal has reached 66% at five years for patients diagnosed in 2019, according to a report being released today by the National Cancer Registry (RON). The findings show that around two out of every three people diagnosed with cancer were still alive five years later.
The report analysed 54,147 cases of malignant tumours and highlights significant differences in survival between men and women. Women had a notably higher five-year survival rate at 72%, compared with 62% for men.
Speaking to the Portuguese news agency Lusa, Maria José Bento, coordinator of the RON and an epidemiologist at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology (IPO) in Porto, said these differences are partly linked to the types of cancers most commonly diagnosed in each sex, as well as lifestyle factors.
Men are more likely to develop cancers such as lung, laryngeal and oral cavity tumours, which generally have poorer survival rates. According to Bento, men may also be less likely to seek medical advice early, whereas women are often more attentive to symptoms and more likely to consult a doctor sooner. However, men tend to have better outcomes in cancers such as testicular, thyroid and prostate cancer.
The report found that some cancers continue to have particularly poor survival rates. Fewer than 20% of patients diagnosed with brain and central nervous system cancers, oesophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, mesothelioma and primary cancers of unknown origin survived beyond five years.
Among women, the cancers with the best prognosis include thyroid cancer, breast cancer, Hodgkin’s disease and chronic myeloproliferative disorders. Overall, cancers with the highest survival rates in Portugal — above 90% at five years — include thyroid, testicular, prostate and breast cancers, as well as Kaposi’s sarcoma and chronic myeloproliferative diseases.
The report also shows that women generally have better outcomes in many common cancers, including thyroid, lung and melanoma. In cancers such as stomach, pancreatic and melanoma, mortality is lower among women. This trend is particularly noticeable in cancers associated with risk behaviours, such as lung, laryngeal and oral cancers, where men continue to have poorer outcomes.
Regional differences were also highlighted. Northern and central Portugal recorded the best survival rates, while the Autonomous Region of Madeira had the lowest.
Although the report does not draw direct conclusions about access to treatment, Bento said differences in survival may reflect how quickly cancers are diagnosed and treated in different regions. She stressed that early diagnosis and prompt treatment are often key to improving outcomes.
She noted that for aggressive cancers such as pancreatic cancer, many patients are already at an advanced stage when diagnosed, which contributes to high mortality. In contrast, early detection can make a substantial difference for tumours such as breast cancer.
Bento highlighted breast cancer screening as an example of a successful public health programme in Portugal. Screening has been in place for several years and now covers almost the entire country, helping Portugal achieve survival rates close to those seen in Nordic countries.
She also emphasised that screening alone is not enough if treatment is delayed. Patients need access to timely care once diagnosed, she said, warning that there is little benefit in early detection if treatment does not begin promptly.
The report points out that there is still scope to improve participation in national screening programmes, particularly for cervical and colorectal cancer. Bento urged the public to take part in these services, noting that survival for colorectal cancer is currently around 67% at five years and could improve further with wider uptake.
Age was also found to have a major impact on survival. The report showed a clear decline in outcomes as age increases, with the lowest survival rate seen in people aged over 75, at 56.8%.
The data covers all invasive primary malignant tumours diagnosed in adults aged 15 and over who were living in Portugal in 2019. Non-melanoma skin cancers, metastases and recurrences were excluded.
Although the diagnoses predate the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the follow-up period took place during it. The RON said the possible impact of the pandemic on survival outcomes will need to be assessed in future studies.
In its conclusion, the report confirms that the trends identified in previous years continue, including persistent inequalities linked to sex, age and region of residence. The RON says this underlines the need to improve equality in access to cancer diagnosis and treatment across the country.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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