UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: To describe death rates from cancers, and smoking habits in Albania, a transitional country in South East Europe.

Methods: Review of last available data about cancers' rates, and tobacco use in Albanian males and females.

Results: In Albania, standardized death rates of cancers are lower than the European Union (EU) average. Thus, in 2001, Albania's standardized death rates of cancers were 108.69 per 100.000 population compared with 191.92 of the EU-25 average. In 1998, cancers' death rate in males was approximately 26% below the rate in the United Kingdom and 35% below France, whereas in females, this rate was 57% and 41% below, respectively. A Mediterranean diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and olive oil has been suggested as a possible explanation for the lower rates of cancers in Albania.

Nevertheless, standardized death rates for lung cancer among Albanian men are thought to be higher than in European Union. The worst is yet to come given the exceptionally high prevalence rate of smoking in males. Thus, according to a survey conducted in 1999-2000, a nationally representative sample aged 15 years and over, 60% of males and 18% of females reported to be regular smokers. The overall prevalence rate of smoking (39%) maybe the second highest rate in comparison with EU members and applicants. Furthermore, smoking has been blamed for the deaths of one in five Albanian males under 70 years.

Conclusions: Given the high smoking rate among males, there is an urgent need to implement an effective tobacco control law in Albania.