The world is teetering on the edge of a cancer epidemic, according to a chilling new report from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The report, released by the agency’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), predicts a staggering 77 percent increase in global cancer cases by 2050, painting a grim picture of a future burdened by this devastating disease.
Based on data from 2022, the report paints a concerning portrait of the current cancer landscape, encompassing over 185 countries and 36 different types of cancer. The data reveals a concerning concentration of the disease burden, with just 10 types of cancer accounting for a staggering two-thirds of both new cases and deaths in 2022.
Lung cancer reigns supreme as the most prevalent, with a staggering 2.5 million new cases diagnosed annually. It’s followed by female breast cancer (2.3 million cases), colorectal cancer (1.9 million cases), and prostate cancer (1.5 million cases). Lung cancer also claims the top spot in terms of mortality, causing 1.8 million deaths and accounting for 18.7 percent of all cancer-related deaths in 2022.
However, the report reveals troubling disparities in the impact of cancer on different parts of the world. In 25 countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, cervical cancer becomes the most common cancer in women. While women across the globe face a lower diagnosis rate for breast cancer, those living in countries with low Human Development Index (HDI) face a harsher reality: they are more likely to succumb to the disease due to “late diagnosis and inadequate access to quality treatment.”
The HDI, developed by the WHO, offers a snapshot of a country’s overall development by looking at health, knowledge, and standard of living. Dr. Bente Mikkelsen, Director of the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases at WHO, highlights the stark inequalities the report exposes: “WHO’s new global survey sheds light on major inequalities and a lack of financial protection for cancer around the world, with populations, especially in lower-income countries, unable to access the basics of cancer care.”
Looking ahead, the report predicts a grim future, with 35 million new cancer cases expected by 2050. This alarming rise is attributed to a combination of factors, including population ageing and growth, coupled with increased exposure to risk factors like tobacco, alcohol, obesity, and environmental hazards.
Dr. Freddie Bray, Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, emphasises the uneven impact this surge will have: “The impact of this increase will not be felt evenly across countries of different HDI levels. Those who have the fewest resources to manage their cancer burdens will bear the brunt of the global cancer burden.”
This report serves as a wake-up call to the world. By addressing inequalities in access to healthcare, promoting preventative measures, and investing in research, we can mitigate the impact of this looming crisis and save millions of lives.