Three out of four cancer patients in Norway survive as early detection improves

In Norway, three out of four cancer patients survive, according to new figures from the Cancer Registry. Increased focus on prevention, early diagnosis, and improved treatment options are cited as reasons for this positive trend.

Lars Bjerke, a veterinarian, discovered he had prostate cancer somewhat by chance after being encouraged by his father to get checked. “Then you have to get a finger test,” was the message from the doctor, which Bjerke felt he had to endure. The anxiety heightened when he received a call for a consultation; that’s when he knew something was wrong.

Upon receiving biopsy results, he learned he had prostate cancer. In 2023, over 5,000 men in Norway received this diagnosis, contributing to a total of approximately 38,000 cancer cases identified last year.

Bjerke described the word “cancer” as haunting, invoking desperation. At 51, he felt a “ticking bomb” inside and feared the worst, including potential loss of potency and related issues. Fortunately, his cancer was detected early and hadn’t spread, allowing him to avoid radiation treatment; he underwent surgery instead and now feels extremely fortunate.

The national goal is for at least 60% of cancer patients to receive diagnoses at an early stage, and in 2023, this figure stood at 58%, a rise from 51% in 2014.

About one in three cancer patients experiences long-term side effects, with prostate cancer patients facing a slightly higher rate. Symptoms can vary, including depression, fatigue, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction.

Bjerke advocates for a screening program, highlighting that many people are unaware they have cancer until it becomes advanced. Prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers are the most common forms in Norway, with survival rates of 96%, 93%, 70%, and 30%, respectively.