The World Health Organization has warned that annual new cancer cases could rise to approximately 35 million by 2050, up from 20.6 million in 2024, unless countries strengthen prevention, early detection, and access to treatment.
The report emphasizes that while cancer care continues to advance, access to life-saving treatment remains highly unequal across the world.
Alarming Global Figures
According to the report, published jointly with the International Agency for Research on Cancer, cancer currently causes about 9.7 million deaths every year—more than 26,000 deaths each day—making it the world’s second-leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease.
The report also estimates that one in five people will develop cancer during their lifetime, with the disease affecting the vast majority of families either directly or indirectly.
Unequal Access to Care
The WHO highlighted major disparities in survival rates, noting that five-year survival for breast cancer reaches around 87% in high-income countries but falls to roughly 42% in low-income nations.
Fewer than 40% of countries provide even the minimum package of cancer treatment services, while less than one-third include comprehensive cancer care within their universal health coverage systems.
Prevention Remains the Best Defense
The report estimates that nearly 40% of cancer cases are linked to preventable risk factors, including tobacco use, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, alcohol consumption, and certain infections.
The WHO stressed that expanding prevention programs, improving early diagnosis, and ensuring equitable access to treatment will be essential to reducing the growing global burden of cancer in the coming decades.
