17,011. That’s not a typo. That’s how many people were diagnosed with cancer in Greater Poland in 2023 alone. Let that number sink in for a moment. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a tsunami of heartbreak, families shaken to their core, and lives turned upside down. And guess what? It’s only going to get worse. According to the experts at the Wielkopolska Oncology Center, we can expect this number to keep climbing in the coming years. But here’s the kicker: Why? Why so many?
The most common culprit? Breast cancer. Over 2,300 women were diagnosed in 2023, making it responsible for a staggering one-third of all female cancers in the region. For men, genital cancers are leading the charge, with over 2,100 new cases reported. And then there’s lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and a litany of others claiming thousands of lives every year.
Doctors blame an aging population, which, sure, makes sense. But let’s not pretend that’s the only factor. What about air pollution, dietary habits, late diagnoses, and lifestyle issues? The deeper question is: What are we doing about it? Preventative care, education, better access to screenings—it all feels like too little, too late when the numbers are this grim.
