IARC 60th Anniversary - 19-21 May 2026
Session : 21/05/26 - Posters
International comparisons in survival across seven high-income countries over 20 years: an ICBP SURVMARK-3 study
MORGAN E. 1, RUTHERFORD M. 1,2, BARDOT A. 1, YI-TUNG CHEN E. 3, BECKER Y. 1, BUTLER J. 4,5, EVANS S. 6, LAMBERT P. 7, TE MARVELDE L. 6, MØLLER B. 7, MYKLEBUST T. 7,8, BRAY F. 1, SOERJOMATARAM I. 1
1 International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France; 2 Division of Public Health & Epidemiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, United Kingdom; 3 Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institut, Stockholm, Sweden; 4 Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London, United Kingdom; 5 Cancer Research United Kingdom, London, United Kingdom; 6 Cancer Council Victoria, Wurundjeri, Woi Wurrung Country, Level 8, 200 Victoria Parade, Melbourne, Australia; 7 Cancer Registry of Norway, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; 8 Department of Research and Innovation, Møre and Romsdal Hospital Trust, Ålesund, Norway
Background
Population-based cancer survival has been improving across several countries reflecting effectiveness of early detection strategies and quality of clinical care and management. Yet inter-country disparities in survival persist across different cancer types, with challenges arising in interpretation of survival metrics.
Objectives
Under the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP), the SURVMARK-3 project aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of current international variations in cancer survival.
Methods
Data collection is ongoing for patient-level data on more than four million patients diagnosed during 2003-2022 and followed up until 31 December 2023 for nine cancer sites: oesophagus (C15), stomach (C16), colon (C18-19), rectum (C20), liver (C22.0-1), pancreas (C25), lung (C34), breast (C50) and ovary, including peritoneum and fallopian tube (C48.1-2, C56, C57.0). Population-based data are provided from cancer registries spanning 21 ICBP jurisdictions in seven countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, and UK). Net survival, defined as survival in a hypothetical world where it is only possible to die from the cancer of interest, was used to compare survival across countries and over time. Age-standardised net survival at 1- 3- and 5- years after diagnosis were estimated by site and 5- year period of diagnosis and examined next to age-standardised incidence and mortality rates.
Results
Based on the most recently available data received, marked improvements in cancer survival during the 20-year study period were observed, with largest improvements noted for lung cancer (up to 16 percentage points improvement in 5-year survival in Australia). Variations across countries were noted, with consistently higher survival observed in Australia, and lower in UK, although differences also varied by cancer site. Survival was highest for breast cancer across all countries and periods of diagnosis, with 5-year survival ranging from 86.0% in Ireland to 90.8% in Australia, and lowest for pancreatic cancer, with 5-year survival ranging from 10.9% in UK to 17.3% in Australia, in 2018-2022.
Conclusion
Improvements in cancer survival have been noted over time across all countries, highlighting continued progress in cancer detection, treatment, and care. However, variations are observed by cancer site and the magnitude of such improvements and persistent differences between countries remain. These benchmark findings underscore the impact of health system performance and cancer control strategies on outcomes and emphasise the need for continued international benchmarking to identify and address avoidable variations in cancer survival.
*on behalf of the ICBP SURVMARK-3 group