Cancer is a major global health concern and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It poses a significant burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. Understanding the impact of cancer on life years lost is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the number of life years lost at the time of diagnosis and several years post-diagnosis in patients with solid malignancies in the Netherlands over a 30-year period.
Methods:
We conducted a population-based study using data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. The study included patients diagnosed with solid malignancies between 1989 and 2019. We calculated the number of life years lost at the time of diagnosis by subtracting the age at diagnosis from the average life expectancy in the Netherlands for the respective year. Additionally, we estimated the number of life years lost several years post-diagnosis by subtracting the age at death from the average life expectancy for the respective year.
Results:
Our study included a total of [insert number] patients diagnosed with solid malignancies. The median age at diagnosis was [insert age] years, and the median follow-up period was [insert number] years. The most common types of solid malignancies included [insert top three types]. The number of life years lost at the time of diagnosis varied depending on the cancer type, stage, and age at diagnosis. Similarly, the number of life-years lost several years post-diagnosis showed variations across different cancers and stages.
Discussion:
The findings of this population-based study provide valuable insights into the number of life years lost among patients with solid malignancies in the Netherlands. The results highlight the significant impact of cancer on life expectancy and emphasize the need for effective prevention and early detection strategies. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of continuous advancements in cancer treatment to improve long-term survival rates and reduce the burden of cancer-related premature mortality.
Limitations:
Several limitations should be considered when interpreting the results of this study. Firstly, the study relied on population-based cancer registry data, which may be subject to reporting biases and incomplete information. Secondly, the study did not consider other factors that may influence life years lost, such as comorbidities, lifestyle factors, and access to healthcare. Finally, the study focused on solid malignancies and did not include hematological malignancies or other rare cancers, which may exhibit different patterns of life years lost.
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| Figure 1 illustrates the distributions of age, stage, and sex among patients diagnosed with their first primary solid malignancy in the Netherlands from 1989 to 2019. The age groups (18–54, 55–64, 65–74, and ≥75 years) are represented using varying shades of red, ranging from dark to light pink. Similarly, the stage categories (localized, regional, distant, and unknown) are depicted using four shades of green, ranging from dark to light orange. It is important to note that for central nervous system (CNS) cancers, the disease stages are defined as follows: (i) localized includes grades one and two, (ii) regional corresponds to grade three, and (iii) distant corresponds to grade four. Abbreviations used in the figure are "Med" for median and "IQR" for interquartile range. |
Conclusion:
This population-based study provides important insights into the number of life years lost at the time of diagnosis and several years post-diagnosis in patients with solid malignancies in the Netherlands over a 30-year period. The results underscore the significant impact of cancer on life expectancy and emphasize the importance of comprehensive cancer control strategies. Further research is warranted to explore additional factors influencing life years lost and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing cancer-related premature mortality.