Statistics show one in four deaths in EU caused by cancer

Cancer was the cause of death for 1.281 million persons in the EU in 2011, responsible for 26.3 percent of all deaths, according to data released Tuesday by Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU.

Statistics showed that in the decade to 2011, the total number of deaths slightly decreased by 0.5 percent, while the number of deaths due to cancer increased by 6.3 percent to 1.281 million in 2011.

Lung cancer was the main type of fatal cancer in the EU in 2011, claiming 20.8 percent of all deaths caused by cancer.

Colo-rectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreas cancer and prostate cancer were other major fatal cancers for EU citizens in 2011.