Search Here

Experts believe cancer cases will see a worldwide upsurge in the coming years.

According to the latest findings from the Global Cancer Statistics 2024 report released by the American Cancer Society (ACS), cancer cases are anticipated to spike in the coming decades, fueled by an aging global population and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.

The report reveals that an estimated 20 million new cancer cases were diagnosed worldwide in 2022, with 9.7 million resulting in fatalities. By 2050, experts predict that annual cancer cases will soar to 35 million, a significant increase attributed primarily to population aging.

Co-author of the report, Hyuna Sung, a senior principal scientist for cancer surveillance at the ACS, emphasized that the projected rise in cancer cases is directly linked to population growth and aging, assuming current incidence rates persist.

"This rise in projected cancer cases by 2050 is solely due to the aging and growth of the population, assuming current incidence rates remain unchanged," Sung said in an ACS press release.

Sung also pointed out the role of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as poor diet, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking, in contributing to the escalating cancer burden globally.

Lung cancer emerges as the most prevalent cancer worldwide, claiming the highest number of lives among both men and women. Following lung cancer, prostate and colon cancers are the most common malignancies among men, while breast cancer remains the leading diagnosis among women.

Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president of surveillance & health equity science at the ACS, emphasized the importance of prevention in curbing the cancer epidemic. Jemal highlighted that tobacco cessation alone could prevent a quarter of all cancer deaths annually, underscoring the significance of proactive measures.

Furthermore, the report highlights the critical role of vaccination in preventing certain types of cancer, notably cervical cancer caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Despite the availability of the HPV vaccine, only a small percentage of eligible girls worldwide have received it, leading to preventable deaths from cervical cancer.

The report also sheds light on disparities in cancer mortality rates between low-income and high-income countries, underscoring the importance of accessible screening and treatment services. Insufficient early detection and treatment contribute to disproportionately high cancer death rates in low-income nations, despite lower overall cancer incidence.

In response to these alarming trends, Karen Knudsen, CEO of the ACS, stressed the importance of global collaboration in addressing the cancer burden and ensuring equitable access to prevention, detection, treatment, and care services for all individuals.

"Understanding the global cancer burden is critical to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer," Knudsen said.