Oncology

In 2022, a total of 474,411 individuals were living with cancer in Belgium, having been diagnosed between 2013 and 2022. This corresponds to approximately 4% of the country's population¹. Among men, prostate cancer was the most prevalent, with 77,930 cases (1.4% of the male population), while among women, breast cancer was the most common, with 89,039 cases (1.5% of the female population). For both sexes, lung and colorectal cancers were the second and third most common.

While cancer prevalence reflects the number of people living with a previous diagnosis, it is influenced both by the number of new cases (incidence) per year and by patient survival over time. In 2022 alone, 76,220 Belgians received a new cancer diagnosis². Beyond the incidence figures, improvements in cancer survival have played a major role in the growing number of people living with cancer. For patients diagnosed between 2016 and 2020, five-year relative survival rates in Belgium reached 98.4% for prostate cancer, 92.4% for breast cancer, 71.1% for colorectal cancer, 68.8% for cervical cancer, and 25.9% for lung cancer³. These outcomes reflect significant advances in early detection, innovative treatments, and patient care.

For over fifty years, Bristol Myers Squibb has been committed to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative cancer treatments to improve patient care and help people live longer and better lives.

We collaborate closely with scientists, healthcare professionals, governments, and patient organizations, continuously exchanging insights and experiences to foster innovation in cancer care and improve patient outcomes.

We empower our employees to explore, refine, and realize their ideas with partners who share our determination to beat cancer.

In support of the broader oncology community, we also sponsor symposia, congresses, and events organized by organizations such as the Belgian Society of Medical Oncology (BSMO), which covers multiple cancer types, including skin, lung, renal, urothelial, head and neck, and gastrointestinal cancers.

Among the various cancer types, melanoma stands out as the most severe form of skin cancer and the fifth most common cancer in Belgium. Its incidence has been rising steadily, particularly among individuals aged 45 and older, making it an increasing public health concern⁴. By 2040, the number of melanoma cases in Belgium is projected to rise by over 11%, underscoring the urgent need for continued awareness, prevention, and innovation⁵.

As the first cancer to be successfully treated with immunotherapy, melanoma has seen major improvements in patient outcomes over the past decade. These advances, including the introduction of immunotherapy and targeted therapies, have dramatically improved survival rates for patients with advanced melanoma. Before the availability of these treatments, only a small percentage of patients survived three years after diagnosis. Today, the 10-year survival rate has risen significantly, offering new hope where previously there was little⁶.

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Immunotherapy, a revolutionary approach to cancer treatment, is a key driver of this progress. Unlike chemotherapy, which directly targets cancer cells, immunotherapy activates the body's immune system. Our immune system is naturally equipped to defend against harmful intruders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunotherapy boosts or reprograms this system to more effectively recognize and destroy cancer cells, making it a powerful weapon in the fight against cancer.

One particularly promising area of immunotherapy is CAR T-cell therapy, which involves reprogramming a patient's own T cells to target cancer cells more effectively. To support the development and accessibility of such personalized treatments, we have started building a brand new CAR T-cell therapy production facility in Leiden, the Netherlands — bringing these innovative medicines closer to European patients.

Our mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines to patients with serious diseases.