Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 2nd Feb. World health agency on Thursday said that the global cancer cases are expected to rise to 77 per cent by 2050 as it highlighted the growing burden of the disease.
According to latest figures from the International Agency for Research on Cancer a specialized branch of WHO there are predicted to be over 35 million cancer cases during 2050, up from the estimated 20 million in 2022.
The increase reflects both population ageing and growth, as well as changes to people’s exposure to risk factors. Tobacco, alcohol and obesity are key factors, along with air pollution, the agency said.
It noted that richer countries are expected to have the greatest absolute increase in cancer, with 4.8 million new cases predicted in 2050.
The low and middle-income countries should see a higher proportional increase in cancer, while mortality is projected to almost double, WHO reported.
IARC Global Cancer Observatory estimate are based on the best sources of data available from 185 countries and covers 36 different forms of cancer.
They were published alongside a WHO survey from 115 countries which showed that the majority do not adequately finance priority cancer and palliative care services as part of universal health coverage.
IARC said that 10 types of cancer collectively comprised around two-thirds of new cases and deaths globally in 2022.
Lung cancer was the most commonly occurring form worldwide with 2.5 million new cases, WHO said.
It accounted for more than 12 per cent of all new cases and 18.9 per cent of deaths, 1.8 million, making it the leading cause of cancer death.
Female breast cancer ranked second in terms of occurrence, with 2.3 million cases, worldwide or 11.6 per cent, but accounted for 6.9 per cent of deaths.
Other commonly occurring cancers were colorectal, prostate and stomach cancer.
Colorectal cancer was the second leading cause of cancer death, followed by liver, breast and stomach cancer.
Cervical cancer was the eighth most commonly occurring cancer globally, the ninth leading cause of cancer death, and the most common cancer in women in 25 countries, many of which are in sub-Saharan Africa.
The IARC estimates issued ahead of World Cancer Day on 4 February revealed striking inequalities, particularly in breast cancer.
The agency said 1 in 12 women in richer countries will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime and one in 71 will die of it.
Only 1 in 27 women in poorer countries will receive a positive breast cancer diagnosis, one in 48 will die, it added
Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC said that these women “are at a much higher risk of dying of the disease due to late diagnosis and inadequate access to quality treatment.”
WHO survey revealed significant global inequities in cancer services
It said that higher income countries were up to seven times more likely to include lung cancer-related services in their health benefits packages.
Dr Bente Mikkelsen, Director of its Department of Noncommunicable Diseases said “WHO, including through its cancer initiatives, is working intensively with more than 75 governments to develop, finance and implement policies to promote cancer care for all.”
He underlined the need for greater investment.
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