Cancer on the rise in Belarus

February 6, Pozirk. The number of Belarusians diagnosed with cancer rose to 56,000 in 2023, Siarhiej Krasny, deputy head for research at the national oncology center has told journalists.

The lowest number of cancer patients, 41,000, was recorded in 2020 after a high of 53,000 in 2019, he noted. In Minsk, cancer incidence rose to 11,500 cases, which is similar to the pre-pandemic figures.

The number of cancer patients in Belarus will grow in the next few years, the researcher said.

In 2023, 17,000 people died of cancer, while on average about 18,000 died annually after being diagnosed with cancer in the past decade, Krasny noted.

Men usually suffer from prostate, lung and colorectal cancer, while women have breast and colorectal cancer as well as gynecologic tumors, he noted.

Colorectal cancer ranks first in Belarus in terms of patients in contrast to developed countries, Krasny said.

He linked the high incidence to nutrition habits. Belarusians’ diet does not include enough fruit and vegetables, while potatoes, red meat and fast food can increase the risk, he said.