The role of the BCR in the fight against cancer
The Belgian Cancer Registry (BCR) celebrates its twentieth anniversary and looks back on two decades of groundbreaking progress in cancer registration, epidemiological research, and screening in Belgium. To mark this milestone, we are proud to present our new publication: “BCR’s Role in Cancer Control – Celebrating 20 Years.”
Two decades of insight into cancer in Belgium
Today, the BCR holds reliable cancer data dating back to 1999 for Flanders and to 2004 for the entire country, currently covering 20 years of data. These data serve as an essential knowledge base for a wide range of stakeholders (including all Belgian (public) health authorities, national and international scientific associations, physicians, universities, health and cancer organizations, the media, and many more). These data form the basis of countless studies and evaluations, from prevention programmes to early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and follow‑up of cancer.
These insights are only possible thanks to an extensive network of data providers.
We work closely with:
- 99 basic care and oncology care programmes
- 66 anatomical pathology laboratories
- 46 clinical biology laboratories
- 7 paediatric haemato oncology centres
In addition, the BCR receives supplementary data from the InterMutualistic Agency (IMA), the three screening centres (CVKO, Bruprev and CCRef), the regions (official mortality statistics), and Statbel (population figures and life tables).
In total, these data providers supplied roughly 455 million new records in 2025.
From data to insights
What do 20 years of cancer data reveal?
The total number of cancer diagnoses in Belgium continues to rise. Today, we treat approximately 20,000 more cancers per year than 20 years ago. Between 2004 and 2023, the annual number of new diagnoses (excluding non‑melanoma skin cancers) increased from 32,395 to 42,140 in men (+30%) and from 26,059 to 35,204 in women (+35%).
Notable trends:
- The strongest increases are observed in melanoma, liver cancer, and myeloproliferative neoplasms.
- Colorectal cancer and cervical cancer are decreasing, likely due to organised screening programmes.
- Cancers linked to smoking habits, such as lung cancer and head and neck cancers, show opposite trends: a declining risk in men but a rising risk in women.
Why is cancer becoming more common overall?
- Population growth: Belgium had around 1.3 million more inhabitants in 2023 compared to 2004, an increase of 13%.
- Ageing population: The proportion of people aged 60+ has increased over the years; they now represent 1/4th of the population and ¾ of all diagnoses.
Population growth and ageing are the main drivers of the rising number of cancer diagnoses. However, in women specifically, there is also an increased risk of cancer (on average +0.6% per year). Meanwhile, the mortality risk has clearly decreased over the past 20 years, and survival of cancer patients has improved.
Regarding survival:
- The highest 20 year net survival is seen in thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma and breast cancer.
- Lung and pancreatic cancer remain prognostically unfavourable, though both show clear improvements in five year net survival.
- Survival in melanoma and colorectal cancer has improved substantially in both sexes.
