Over 400,000 people and thus about four percent of the Austrian population live with a cancer diagnosis. Around 45,000 new cases are added every year. Around 20,000 people die from cancer annually, which corresponds to a quarter of all deaths in Austria, but the chances of survival have improved in the past 20 years thanks to earlier diagnoses and better therapies.
According to statistics Austria, 63 percent of people who received a cancer diagnosis between 2015 and 2019 are still alive five years later. In comparison, the relative five-year survival rate for the period 2010 to 2014 was 61 percent.
“Nowadays, a cancer diagnosis no longer automatically means a death sentence. Thanks to intensive research, some types of cancer can be treated better and even more chronic diseases. To continue and expand this success is often the most important motivation for people who are involved in the difficult and lengthy fight against cancer “
says Alexander Herzog, Secretary General of the Pharmig, on the occasion of the upcoming World Cancer Day on February 4, 2025.
Cancer research is in full swing and clearly shows how basic and applied research go hand in hand to treat more and more of the more than 250 known cancer types and ideally curable. In 2023 alone, according to the numbers of the Austrian cancer reports Over 2,000 clinical tests with innovative cancer therapies worldwide started. These include cell and gene therapies as well as therapies based on antibodies.
One Opinion poll Among the member companies of the Pharmig from 2023 shows that more than a third of their sponsored clinical research does not apply to the topic of cancer. Herzog: “The way to innovations only leads through intensive research. The future will show us to what extent the use of artificial intelligence can serve as an acceleration factor. Now, however, it is important that Austria remains a sought -after location for clinical research and the associated drug studies and thus contributes to making progress in this area and making innovative medication available to patients with cancer as early as possible. “
60 new cancer medication have been approved in the past three years, including 25 with new active ingredients. In 2024 the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Message recommended 28 cancer medication. Other drugs are currently under development.
About the pharmig: the pharmig is the voluntary advocacy of the Austrian pharmaceutical industry. The association currently has around 120 members (as of February 2025), which cover the medication market for a good 95 percent. Pharmig and their member companies stand for the best possible security of supply with medicinal products in healthcare and ensure social and medical progress through quality and innovation.
Pharmig – Association of the pharmaceutical industry of Austria
Peter Richter, Ba in MBA
Telephone: +43 664 8860 5264
E-mail: peter.richter@pharmig.at
Website: https://pharmig.at
OTS original text press release with the exclusive in terms of content of the sender – www.ots.at | Pha