INCIDENCE
At a rate of 122.1 per 100,000 population, prostate cancer incidence in Croatia is below the European average of 153.9 per 100,000 population.1 Although there is no reliable data on the uptake of PSA testing in Croatia, basic epidemiological parameters indicate that there is room for improvement regarding the overall prognosis and risks associated with prostate cancer in the Croatian population.2
Links to external websites are provided as a resource to the viewer. We accept no responsibility for the content or services of the linked site other than the information or other materials provided or reviewed by the LTPC expert group members
1 European Cancer Information System (ECIS). Estimates of cancer incidence and mortality in 2020. Accessible at https://ecis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/explorer.php?$0-0$1-All$2-All$4-1$3-34$6-0,85$5-2008,2008$7-7$CEstByCountry$X0_8-3$X0_19-AE27$X0_20-No$CEstBySexByCountry$X1_8-3$X1_19-AE27$X1_-1-1$CEstByIndiByCountry$X2_8-3$X2_19-AE27$X2_20-No$CEstRelative$X3_8-3$X3_9-AE27$X3_19-AE27$CEstByCountryTable$X4_19-AE27 (last accessed March 2022)
2 Reljic, A, et al, Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer in Croatia – Situation and Perspectives. 2018. Accessible at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329101925_Epidemiology_of_Prostate_Cancer_in_Croatia_-_Situation_and_Perspectives (last accessed March 2022)
Estimated prostate cancer incidence 2020
(crude rate per 100,000 population)
(crude rate per 100,000 population)
Links to external websites are provided as a resource to the viewer. We accept no responsibility for the content or services of the linked site other than the information or other materials provided or reviewed by the LTPC expert group members
European Cancer Information System (ECIS). Estimates of cancer incidence and mortality in 2020. Accessible at https://ecis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/explorer.php?$0-0$1-All$2-All$4-1$3-34$6-0,85$5-2008,2008$7-8$CEstByCountry$X0_8-3$X0_19-AE27$X0_20-No$CEstBySexByCountry$X1_8-3$X1_19-AE27$X1_-1-1$CEstByIndiByCountry$X2_8-3$X2_19-AE27$X2_20-No$CEstRelative$X3_8-3$X3_9-AE27$X3_19-AE27$CEstByCountryTable$X4_19-AE27 (last accessed March 2022)
MORTALITY
In Croatia, the mortality rate for prostate cancer is higher than the EU27 average of 32.1 per 100,000 population, at a rate of 40 per 100,000 population.1
Links to external websites are provided as a resource to the viewer. We accept no responsibility for the content or services of the linked site other than the information or other materials provided or reviewed by the LTPC expert group members
1 European Cancer Information System (ECIS). Estimates of cancer incidence and mortality in 2020. Accessible at https://ecis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/explorer.php?$0-0$1-All$2-All$4-1$3-34$6-0,85$5-2008,2008$7-8$CEstByCountry$X0_8-3$X0_19-AE27$X0_20-No$CEstBySexByCountry$X1_8-3$X1_19-AE27$X1_-1-1$CEstByIndiByCountry$X2_8-3$X2_19-AE27$X2_20-No$CEstRelative$X3_8-3$X3_9-AE27$X3_19-AE27$CEstByCountryTable$X4_19-AE27 (last accessed February 2022)
Prostate cacner mortality 2020
(crude rate per 100,000 population)
(crude rate per 100,000 population)
Links to external websites are provided as a resource to the viewer. We accept no responsibility for the content or services of the linked site other than the information or other materials provided or reviewed by the LTPC expert group members
European Cancer Information System (ECIS). Estimates of cancer incidence and mortality in 2020. Accessible at https://ecis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/explorer.php?$0-0$1-All$2-All$4-1$3-34$6-0,85$5-2008,2008$7-8$CEstByCountry$X0_8-3$X0_19-AE27$X0_20-No$CEstBySexByCountry$X1_8-3$X1_19-AE27$X1_-1-1$CEstByIndiByCountry$X2_8-3$X2_19-AE27$X2_20-No$CEstRelative$X3_8-3$X3_9-AE27$X3_19-AE27$CEstByCountryTable$X4_19-AE27 (last accessed March 2022)
SURVIVAL
From 2010-2014, the 5-year net survival rate for prostate cancer patients in Croatia was 80.9%.1 For comparison, the 5-year net survival rate for neighbouring countries such as Slovenia and Italy are 85% and 89.5% respectively.1 This puts Croatia among the 5 EU countries with the lowest 5-year prostate cancer survival rates.
Links to external websites are provided as a resource to the viewer. We accept no responsibility for the content or services of the linked site other than the information or other materials provided or reviewed by the LTPC expert group members
1 Hofmarcher, T et al. Comparator Report on Cancer in Europe in 2019. IHE Report 2019:7. Accessible at https://www.efpia.eu/publications/cancer-comparator-report/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/ (last accessed March 2022)
Prostate cacner age-standardised 5-year net survival (%)
Links to external websites are provided as a resource to the viewer. We accept no responsibility for the content or services of the linked site other than the information or other materials provided or reviewed by the LTPC expert group members
Hofmarcher, T et al. Comparator Report on Cancer in Europe in 2019. IHE Report 2019:7. Accessible at https://www.efpia.eu/publications/cancer-comparator-report/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/ (last accessed March 2022)
NATIONAL POLICES
In March 2019, Croatia published its National Cancer Control Plan for 2020-2030. It hopes to significantly minimize negative aspects of cancer to national health, improve overall population health status and build a happier society for many generations to come.
CLINICAL GUIDELINES
In Croatia, the Clinical Recommendation for Diagnostics, Treatment and Monitoring of Patients with Prostate Cancer set out the guidelines for the treatment of prostate cancer.
In addition to the national prostate cancer guidelines, there are also local clinical guidelines for the treatment of prostate cancer.
The recommended care pathway, includes patient access to*:
Review by a multidisciplinary team
Support from a specialist nurse
Holistic needs assessment
A tailored treatment plan
Nutrition and exercise advice
Psychological support
Regular care reviews
Legend:
Recommendation included
Recommendation not included
CANCER CARE
Access to Specialists
Croatia is in the bottom 10 EU countries in terms of the number of citizens who have access to a urologist, at a rate of 34,615 inhabitants per 1 urologist.1 Neighbouring Slovenia follows closely with 40,000 citizens to every urologist.2Links to external websites are provided as a resource to the viewer. We accept no responsibility for the content or services of the linked site other than the information or other materials provided or reviewed by the LTPC expert group members
1 European Society of Residents in Urology (ESRU). Croatia. March 2018. Accessible at https://esru.eu/?q=croatia (last accessed March 2022)
2 European Society of Residents in Urology (ESRU). Slovenia. March 2018. Accessible at https://esru.eu/?q=slovenia (last accessed March 2022)
Cost of cancer
In 2018, the direct cost of cancer in Croatia was €61 per person,1 significantly less than the European average of €154 per person2. Neighbouring Hungary spends only slightly more, at €63 per person.1 Whilst a number of factors contribute to improved outcomes for those affected by prostate cancer, studies have shown that those countries that invest more in cancer care tend to achieve better outcomes for patients.3
Links to external websites are provided as a resource to the viewer. We accept no responsibility for the content or services of the linked site other than the information or other materials provided or reviewed by the LTPC expert group members
1 Hofmarcher, T et al. Comparator Report on Cancer in Europe in 2019. IHE Report 2019:7. Accessible at https://www.efpia.eu/publications/cancer-comparator-report/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/ (last accessed March 2022)
2 [Hofmarcher, T et al. Comparator Report on Cancer in Europe in 2019. IHE Report 2019:7. Accessible at https://www.efpia.eu/publications/cancer-comparator-report/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/ (last accessed March 2022) – average calculated from data included for individual countries
3 Hofmarcher, T et al. Comparator Report on Cancer in Europe in 2019. IHE Report 2019:7.
Links to external websites are provided as a resource to the viewer. We accept no responsibility for the content or services of the linked site other than the information or other materials provided or reviewed by the LTPC expert group members
1 Hofmarcher, T et al. Comparator Report on Cancer in Europe in 2019. IHE Report 2019:7. Accessible at https://www.efpia.eu/publications/cancer-comparator-report/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/ (last accessed March 2022)
2 European Commission and OECD. State of Health in the EU – Croatia country profile. 2017. Accessible at https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/state/docs/chp_hr_english.pdf (last accessed March 2022)
Approximate number of inhabitats per urologist - 2018*
Links to external websites are provided as a resource to the viewer. We accept no responsibility for the content or services of the linked site other than the information or other materials provided or reviewed by the LTPC expert group members
*Different data sources were used for Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Romania and the UK, which may use data from different years. See references below. No data was found for Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta and Slovakia.
European Society of Residents in Urology (ESRU). Countries. March 2018. Accessible at https://esru.eu/?q=countries (last accessed March 2022)
Federal Public Service of Public Health, Safety of the Food Chain and the Environment. HWF STATAN 2019 (detailed statistics). 2019. Accessible at https://organesdeconcertation.sante.belgique.be/fr/documents/hwf-statan-2019-statistiques-detaillees (last accessed March 2022)
Boszormenyi-Nagy, G. Report on urological inpatient care based on 2018 data. Urologia Hungarica. Accessible at http://urologiahungarica.hu/index.php/2020/05/12/beszamolo-az-urologiai-fekvobeteg-ellatasrol-a-2018-as-adatok-alapjan/ (last accessed March 2022)
I.Stat. Personale sanitario. Accessible at http://dati.istat.it/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DCIS_PERS_SANIT (last accessed March 2022)
Institutul National De Statistica. Activitatea Unitatilor Sanitare in Anul 2019. 2020. Accessible at https://insse.ro/cms/sites/default/files/field/publicatii/activitatea_unitatilor_sanitare_anul_2019.pdf (last accessed March 2022)
United Nations, Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs. World Population Prospects 2019. Accessible at https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Files/1_Indicators%20(Standard)/EXCEL_FILES/1_Population/
WPP2019_POP_F01_1_TOTAL_POPULATION_BOTH_SEXES.xlsx (last accessed March 2022)
British Association of Urological Surgeons and The Specialist Advisory Committee in Urology. Workforce Report. 2018. Accessible at https://www.baus.org.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/publications/
Workforce_Report_Sep%202018%20ver%201.1.pdf (last accessed March 2022)
Direct health cost of cancer per person - 2018 (€)
Links to external websites are provided as a resource to the viewer. We accept no responsibility for the content or services of the linked site other than the information or other materials provided or reviewed by the LTPC expert group members
Hofmarcher, T et al. Comparator Report on Cancer in Europe in 2019. IHE Report 2019:7. Accessible at https://www.efpia.eu/publications/cancer-comparator-report/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/ (last accessed March 2022)
Per capita cost of cancer medicines - 2018 (€)
Links to external websites are provided as a resource to the viewer. We accept no responsibility for the content or services of the linked site other than the information or other materials provided or reviewed by the LTPC expert group members
Hofmarcher, T et al. Comparator Report on Cancer in Europe in 2019. IHE Report 2019:7. Accessible at https://www.efpia.eu/publications/cancer-comparator-report/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/ (last accessed March 2022)
ORGANISATIONS
Patient organisations
Organisations supporting people with prostate cancer in Croatia include:
Croatian Society of Patients with Prostate Cancer
http://www.hdbrp.hr/
Croatian Cancer League
http://hlpr.hr/
Reference Number: ONC_2021_0128_BE
Date of preparation: January 2022
