Number of new cases of cancer diagnosed Spain 2023, by type

It is estimated that around 280,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Spain during 2023, of which 160,000 are expected in men and 120,000 in women. Breast cancer is expected to be the type with the highest incidence in the country, with more than 35,000 new cases estimated for 2023, followed by lung and prostate cancer with 31,282 and 29,002 cases, respectively.

Cancer-related deaths

In 2021, cancer was responsible for approximately 114,000 deaths in Spain. Lung and bronchial cancer caused the highest number of cancer deaths in the country, accounting for approximately 22,400 terminal cases. In fact, it was the fourth main cause of death overall, only after COVID-19, coronary artery disease (CAD), and cerebrovascular disease. Lung cancer is highly associated with smoking and is therefore among the most preventable diseases.

Most common types of cancer worldwide

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the world. In 2020, around a quarter of all new cancer cases within this group was attributed to breast cancer. Colorectum and lung cancer followed, accounting for 9.4 and 8.4 percent of all new cancer cases among women that year, respectively. In comparison, lung cancer was the most common type of cancer among men, with a share of 14.3 percent. Prostate cancer followed closely, with 14.1 percent.