ZAGREB, 4 Nov (Hina) - Croatia's five-year cancer survival rate has risen by 15% over 25 years, marking a historic advance that moves the country off the bottom of EU outcomes, organisers said at the "United Against Cancer" conference in Zagreb.
Net five-year survival for all cancers increased from 44% in the early 2000s to 59% (2020-2022). Professor Šime Smolić of Zagreb's Faculty of Economics said this improvement could save around 20,000 lives over the next five years. "Of ten people diagnosed with cancer today, six will reach at least five more birthdays," he said.
The largest gains are seen in haematological cancers, such as multiple myeloma, thanks to targeted therapies, innovative drugs and advanced diagnostics. Cervical cancer remains the only type with no visible survival improvement. Croatia exceeds the EU average for breast and prostate cancer survival but remains below average for lung and colorectal cancer.
Prof. Eduard Vrdoljak (KBC Split hospital) called the results "historic" and highlighted breast cancer outcomes: mortality risk has fallen from 45% in 2012 to 18% today. With full implementation of the National Cancer Strategic Framework and National Oncology Network, planned for early 2026, outcomes are expected to improve further.
Stjepko Pleština (KBC Zagreb) noted metastatic disease is now detected far less frequently, while Kristina Krpina (Jordanovac) reported that over five years, more than 75,000 low-dose CT scans screened 52,000 participants in the National Lung Cancer Early Detection Programme, detecting cancer in 2% of cases, over half at an early stage. The programme has expanded to include non-smokers.
Ivana Mikolašević (KBC Rijeka) announced the first Pancreatic Cancer Day on 11 November, highlighting rising incidence even among younger people.
Ilijan Tomaš (KBC Osijek) said that Croatian patients now have access to genetic profiling and targeted drugs, emphasising the need for more prevention education and palliative care support. Ljubica Vazdar (KBC Sestre milosrdnice) stressed early recognition of cardiovascular side effects, multidisciplinary care and psychosocial support as key to progress.
Participants concluded that Croatia is no longer at the bottom of Europe in oncology and that early detection and modern therapies are producing measurable, life-saving results.
