Cancer Registry: Breast Cancer Continues to Rise

The Norwegian Cancer Registry's annual report for 2025 reveals a concerning trend: for the first time, the total number of cancer diagnoses in Norway has exceeded 40,000 within a single year. This marks a significant jump from previous years, with a 4% increase observed between 2024 and 2025, a rate considerably higher than the usual 1-2% annual rise.

Director Giske Ursin of the Cancer Registry highlights that this surge is primarily fueled by a notable increase in breast cancer and various forms of skin cancer. Specifically, breast cancer cases rose by approximately 280 from 2024 to 2025. While these figures are alarming, Ursin also points to positive developments, such as a continued decline in cervical cancer, particularly among younger age groups who have benefited from HPV vaccination programs.

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En viss økning i antall krefttilfeller er ventet, fordi vi blir stadig flere, og det blir stadig flere eldre i befolkningen. Tradisjonelt har antallet nye tilfeller økt med mellom 1 og 2 prosent per år. Men i 2025 var økningen på 4 prosent. Det er mye på ett år, sier Kreftregisterets direktør Giske Ursin.

Among men, prostate cancer remains the most common diagnosis. However, skin cancer is rapidly climbing the ranks, surpassing both bowel and lung cancer to become the second most common cancer for men, especially among the elderly. The registry attributes the general increase in cancer cases partly to Norway's aging population and overall population growth, but the sharp rise in 2025 suggests other factors may also be at play.

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Økningen er størst blant kvinner, og det er særlig brystkreft og ulike former for hudkreft som trekker opp tallene. For brystkreft var det om lag 280 flere tilfeller i 2025 enn i 2024, sier Ursin.