Background: In 2020, in 27 European Union (EU) Member States, melanoma accounted for 4% of all new cancer cases and 1.3% of all cancer deaths, making melanoma the fifth most common malignancy and placing it in the 15 most frequent causes of cancer deaths in the EU-27. The main aim of our study was to investigate melanoma mortality trends in 25 EU Member States and three non-EU countries (Norway, Russia, and Switzerland) in a broad time perspective (1960–2020) in a younger (45–74 years old) vs. older age group (75+). Methods: We identified melanoma deaths defined by ICD-10 codes C-43 for individuals aged 45–74 and 75+ years old between 1960–2020 in 25 EU Member States (excluding Iceland, Luxembourg, and Malta) and in 3 non-EU countries—Norway, Russia, and Switzerland. Age-standardized melanoma mortality rates (ASR) were computed using the direct age-standardization for Segi’s World Standard Population. To determine melanoma-mortality trends with 95% confidence intervals (CI), Joinpoint regression was applied. Our analysis used the Join-point Regression Program, version 4.3.1.0 (National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA). Results: Regardless of the considered age groups, in all investigated countries, in general, melanoma standardized mortality rates were higher for men than women. Considering the age group 45–74, the highest number of countries was characterized by decreasing melanoma-mortality trends in both sexes—14 countries. Contrarily, the highest representation of countries in the age group 75+ was connected with increasing melanoma-mortality trends in both sexes—26 countries. Moreover, considering the older age group—75+—there was no country with a decreasing melanoma mortality in both sexes. Conclusions: Investigated melanoma-mortality trends vary in individual countries and age groups; however, a highly concerning phenomenon—increasing melanoma-mortality rates in both sexes—was observed in 7 countries for the younger age group and in as many as 26 countries for the older age group. There is a need for coordinated public-health actions to address this issue.

Introduction. So far, cancer burden has mainly been connected with the age structure of a given population and changes in risk factor exposure combined with lifestyle. Nowadays, available data indicates that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be a new strong agent impacting the number of cancer deaths in the future. Material and methods. In our study we analyzed changes in cancer screening as well as participation in a fast path of oncological diagnosis and treatment – before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Poland – taking into consideration breast, colorectal and cervical cancer. Results. We investigated substantial changes connected with the pandemic. In the case of cancer screening – despite the end of lockdown – population coverage and participation percentages are still lower than before the pandemic. Discussion. Similar results were observed in different studies, e.g. in the United Kingdom similar declines are evident as well as a simultaneous prognosis of an increase in cancer death numbers. Conclusions. Immediate health policy actions are needed in order to reverse unfavorable trends in cancer screening, treatment and ultimately in the number of cancer deaths in Poland. Introduction. So far, cancer burden has mainly been connected with the age structure of a given population and changes in risk factor exposure combined with lifestyle. Nowadays, available data indicates that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be a new strong agent impacting the number of cancer deaths in the future. Material and methods. In our study we analyzed changes in cancer screening as well as participation in a fast path of oncological diagnosis and treatment – before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Poland – taking into consideration breast, colorectal and cervical cancer. Results. We investigated substantial changes connected with the pandemic. In the case of cancer screening – despite the end of lockdown – population coverage and participation percentages are still lower than before the pandemic. Discussion. Similar results were observed in different studies, e.g. in the United Kingdom similar declines are evident as well as a simultaneous prognosis of an increase in cancer death numbers. Conclusions. Immediate health policy actions are needed in order to reverse unfavorable trends in cancer screening, treatment and ultimately in the number of cancer deaths in Poland.

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed malignant tumor worldwide and poses a significant challenge to public health. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the association between diabetes mellitus and the risk of developing prostate cancer. Methods: We conducted a search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from 1998 to 2024. The risk of bias within the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. The DerSimonian–Laird random-effect model was employed for the meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was evaluated using a forest plot and statistically assessed via the Q test, I² index, and p-values. Results: Forty-three studies involving a total of 3,746,769 patients were included. Both case–control (pOR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.61–0.97; I² = 92.24%) and cohort studies (pRR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.59–0.99; I² = 85.41%) suggest that diabetes mellitus is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer, though with significant heterogeneity (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that the risk of developing prostate cancer was significantly higher in patients with a family history of prostate cancer (pRR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.16–1.35; I² = 69.51%). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis of recent observational studies indicates that diabetes mellitus is associated with a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer.

Although the role of primary care in cancer prevention has been proven, its assumptions are still insufficiently implemented and the actual rates of cancer prevention advice delivery remain low. Our study aimed to identify the actual and potential role of primary care physicians (PCPs) in the cancer prevention area. Design of the study is a cross-sectional one, based on a survey of 450 PCPs who took part in a nationwide educational project in Poland. Only 30% of PCPs provide cancer prevention advice routinely in their practice, whereas 70% do that only sometimes. PCPs’ actual role in cancer prevention is highly unexploited. They inquire routinely about the patient’s smoking history (71.1%), breast cancer screening program (43.7%), cervical cancer screening (41.1%), patient’s alcohol consumption (34%), patient’s physical activity levels (32.3%), body mass index (29.6%), the patient’s eating habits (28%) and patient’s potential for sun/UV-Ray exposure (5.7%). The potential role of PCPs in cancer prevention is still underestimated and underutilized. Action should be taken to raise awareness and understanding that PCPs can provide cancer prevention advice. Since lack of time is the main obstacle to providing cancer prevention advice routinely, systemic means must be undertaken to enable PCPs to utilize their unquestionable role in cancer prevention.

Introduction The aim of the study was to analyze breast cancer (BC) mortality trends among women at the age of 45 years old and older (45+) in the 28 European Union (EU) countries, as well as in 3 non-EU countries – Norway, Switzerland and the Russian Federation (control group) within the...

Renal cell carcinoma is one of the most malignant tumors, affecting men more frequently than women and constituting nearly 90% of all kidney tumors. Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma has been described as a new histological type of renal cell carcinoma. Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma constitutes...