Cancer statistics

Incidence describes the number of new cases that occur within a defined population group in a certain period of time. It is stated as the absolute number of new cases per year or as the rate per 100,000 residents per year. The incidence rate indicates the risk of cancer.

The incidence statistics for 35 cancer locations or cancer groups since 1980 for all of Switzerland, German-speaking Switzerland and Latin Switzerland by age group and sex are published on the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) and the National Agency for Cancer Registration (NACR) website. 

Upon request, the NACR also provides further evaluations of incidence with other or more detailed parameters (e.g. other cancer locations, age groups).

Mortality includes the number of deaths within a defined population group in a given period of time. It can be expressed as an absolute number of deaths per year or as a rate per 100,000 residents per year. The mortality rate measures the risk of dying from cancer.

Mortality statistics are based on the information provided by the civil registry offices and the physicians reporting the deaths. The coding of deaths and the determination of the underlying cause of death (underlying condition) is carried out by the FSO.

The prevalence of a particular cancer refers to the number of people within a defined population group who were diagnosed with this type of cancer and who were still alive at the time of examination. Prevalence is an important and useful measure of cancer burden in society. 

Prevalence statistics by age group and sex have been published for 35 cancer locations or cancer groups for all of Switzerland. 

Upon request, the NACR also provides further evaluations of prevalence with other or more detailed parameters (e.g. other cancer locations, age groups).

Survival after a cancer diagnosis is an important indicator for assessing the quality of the healthcare system as a whole. In-depth insights can be gained through time series analyses, regional comparisons of survival rates in Switzerland or comparisons with survival statistics from other countries.

Survival is calculated as the proportion of survivors (often referred to as the survival rate) at specific times after a cancer diagnosis. Survival time is the time difference between the date of diagnosis and the date of death.

Survival rates are published for 29 different cancers by sex for all of Switzerland. 

A series of publications in the Swiss Cancer Bulletin also shows detailed discussions of individual cancers or specific questions related to cancer survival in Switzerland.

Upon request, the NACR also provides further evaluations of survival with other or more detailed parameters (e.g. other cancer locations, age groups).