Cancer mortality refers to the number of deaths caused by cancer within a specific population or area over a given period. It reflects the deadliness of cancer and allows for comparisons across different populations, time periods, and geographical locations, such as countries and regions.
In the EU, cancer mortality rates vary 1.6 fold across countries. Strong disparities are also observed across regions within the same country. Between 2011 and 2021, the age-standardised death rates for all cancers combined showed substantial regional variation within most EU countries.
Death rate of malignant neoplasms (2021), by region
© European Commission, 2025.
In France, for example, substantial regional disparities were observed in 2021, with a higher total cancer mortality rate noted in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region and a lower one in Midi-Pyrénées. Another example of regional disparities in 2021 can be found in Germany, with a higher total cancer mortality in the region of Sachen-Anhalt and a lower one in the region of Stuttgart. Also in Romania, substantial regional disparities exist, with lower total cancer mortality in the region of Sud-Vest Oltenia and higher one in the region of București-Ilfov.
In general, regional disparities in total cancer mortality within and across EU nations can result from multiple factors, including inequalities and differences in access to healthcare, prevention, early detection, quality of cancer treatment, lifestyle behaviours, socioeconomic conditions, and environmental exposures, among others.
The European Commission is committed to reducing regional disparities in cancer mortality across EU Member States, for example, by improving patient access to cancer prevention and care for those living in remote and rural areas, for instance through the Joint Actions EUnetCCC and eCan.
Explore regional disparities within countries in cancer mortality with the ECIR Data tool
Disparities for all cancers mortality
This indicator presents age-standardised disparities within countries for all cancers combined, expressed per 100 000 inhabitants. (See also All cancer mortality by region).
Disparities for breast cancer mortality
This indicator presents age-standardised disparities within countries for breast cancer, expressed per 100 000 inhabitants (men and women combined). (See also Breast cancer mortality by region).
Disparities for cervical cancer mortality
This indicator presents age-standardised disparities within countries for cervical cancer, expressed per 100 000 inhabitants. (See also Cervical cancer mortality by region).
Disparities for colorectal cancer mortality
This indicator presents age-standardised disparities within countries for colorectal cancer expressed per 100 000 inhabitants. (See also Colorectal cancer mortality by region).
Disparities for liver cancer mortality
This indicator presents age-standardised disparities within countries for liver and intrahepatic bile ducts cancer, expressed per 100 000 inhabitants. (See also Liver cancer mortality by region).
Disparities for lung cancer mortality
This indicator presents age-standardised disparities within countries for trachea, bronchus and lung cancer, expressed per 100 000 inhabitants. (See also Lung cancer mortality by region).
Disparities for prostate cancer mortality
This indicator presents age-standardised disparities within countries for prostate cancer, expressed per 100 000 inhabitants. (See also Prostate cancer mortality by region).
Disparities for stomach cancer mortality
This indicator presents age-standardised disparities within countries for stomach cancer, expressed per 100 000 inhabitants. (See also Stomach cancer mortality by region).