Lung cancer was the most common form of cancer to kill men last year, with breast cancer the most common in the case of women.

Data on cancer deaths in 2016 tabled in Parliament by Health Minister Chris Fearne shows that 710 people died of cancer. Of these, 403 were men, one was younger than 15, and 51 were over the age of 85. The most common age group was between 65 and 74.

Mr Fearne was replying to a question by Labour MP Anthony Agius Decelis.

READ: Lung cancer remains top respiratory killer across EU

He said a survey last year had found a correlation between pulmonary cancer and pollution on the island. This, he noted, was particularly evident in Marsa, which was linked to the power station, a major source of pollution, which was being closed down.

Without giving figures, the minister did look on the bright side and said the number of patients being cured from cancer was on the rise.

Number being cured is one the rise

Questions sent to the health authorities for more information on these figures remained unanswered at the time of writing.

Times of Malta reported last week the findings of a new study that suggests the incidence of death from cancer across Europe was falling faster for men than women.

Experts have predicted that this year, 131.8 men out of every 100,000 across the EU will die from cancer, a dip of 8.2 per cent when compared to 2012 figures.

READ: Cancer death rates falling faster for men across Europe

There will be a 3.6 per cent fall in the death rate for women, according to the study, published in the journal Annals of Oncology.

Fewer women are dying from the disease, with experts estimating that 84.5 women per 100,000 will die from cancer this year.

A total of 761,900 men and 611,600 women are predicted to die from all cancers in 2017. Mortality rates for cancers are expected to decline, except among pancreatic cancer patients in both sexes and lung cancer in women.