By Opeyemi Adelakun
Global cancer cases could rise by 67 per cent to 34 million annually by 2050, according to new estimates by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The agency said 20.6 million new cancer cases and 9.8 million cancer deaths were recorded worldwide in 2024.
The projections were contained in the latest GLOBOCAN 2024 estimates, which examined cancer incidence and mortality across countries, regions, age groups and sexes.
IARC also projected that annual cancer deaths could increase to 17.5 million by 2050, representing an increase of nearly 80 per cent from current levels.
Of the 20.6 million new cases recorded in 2024, men accounted for 10.6 million while women recorded 10 million cases.
Men also represented 56 per cent of cancer deaths, compared with 44 per cent among women.
Freddie Bray, Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, said the figures showed the disproportionate impact of cancer on men.
He said one in nine men and one in 13 women die from cancer, attributing the difference partly to variations in cancer types and poorer outcomes for some cancers affecting men.
The report also highlighted major geographical inequalities in cancer incidence and mortality, linked to population ageing, exposure to risk factors, prevention measures and access to diagnosis and treatment.
China accounted for about one-quarter of global cancer cases and deaths, while Europe, despite having only 9.2 per cent of the world’s population, accounted for more than 20 per cent of global cancer incidence.
IARC said cancer incidence rates varied by as much as threefold between countries, while mortality rates could differ by up to fivefold.
The highest incidence rates were recorded in countries including Australia and Denmark, while some of the lowest were reported in parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
Lung cancer remained the world’s leading cancer in both incidence and mortality and was the major cause of cancer deaths in 89 countries, particularly among men.
Breast cancer remained one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers globally and was the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in 164 countries.
Prostate cancer, meanwhile, was the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in 123 countries.
IARC warned that continued tobacco use, ageing populations and persistent inequalities in cancer prevention and treatment could drive further increases in the global cancer burden.
The agency also raised concerns about weaknesses in cancer data, noting that only one in three countries currently reports high-quality cancer incidence data, while just one in four has reliable mortality data.
It said the gaps make it difficult for governments to properly assess their cancer burden, plan health services and allocate resources.
The Union for International Cancer Control said the estimates reinforced the need for stronger national cancer-control programmes, including investment in prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment.
The World Health Organisation’s Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, which also draws on GLOBOCAN 2024 data, similarly highlighted uneven progress in cancer control and continuing gaps in access to prevention and treatment.
IARC said reducing the projected increase would require stronger action against preventable risk factors and greater access to effective cancer care worldwide.
Leave a Reply