Searchlight on radiotherapy. A vision for 2015

Cancer, after cardiovascular disease, constitutes the second most important cause of death in the Dutch population with over 30 percent of all deaths (40 000 cases per year in 2005). Every year approximately 75 000 people are diagnosed with a de novo case of cancer (incidence), the frequency being almost equal in men and women. Moreover, around 400 000 people every year are affected in some way by the disease (prevalence), either by being diagnosed, getting treated, declared cured, or being alive with the disease. It is estimated on the basis of both epidemiological and demographic trends, that this incidence will continue to rise in the coming years, reaching around 95 000 new cases per year in 2015, and with almost 700 000 people having their health affected in some way by cancer.