Global Cancer Deaths Likely To Exceed 18 Million By 2050: Report

Major cancer risk factors include poor dietary habits, obesity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use.

According to the National Cancer Institute, global cancer mortality is projected to surpass 18 million by 2050.

Cancer ranks among the world's leading causes of mortality. The National Institute of Health reports that in 2022, nearly 20 million new cancer cases were diagnosed worldwide, with 9.7 million deaths attributed to the disease.

Typically, cancer prevalence is highest in nations with greater life expectancy, education levels, and living standards. However, this pattern reverses for certain cancers like cervical cancer, which shows higher incidence in countries ranking lower on these metrics.

In 2022, approximately 53.5 million people were living within five years of receiving a cancer diagnosis. The World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates that one in five individuals will develop cancer during their lifetime, while approximately one in nine men and one in 12 women will succumb to the disease.

Both cancer cases and fatalities continue to show consistent increases. A 2023 BMJ Oncology study revealed that between 1990 and 2019, early-onset cancers (affecting individuals under 50) increased by 79 percent, with associated deaths rising by 28 percent. Major contributing factors include poor nutrition, obesity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer projects that by 2050, annual new cancer diagnoses will reach 33 million, with cancer-related deaths increasing to 18.2 million.

"The burden of this increase will be distributed unequally across countries with different Human Development Index levels. Those with fewer resources to manage their cancer burden will experience the greatest impact of the global cancer epidemic," explained Dr. Freddie Bray, who heads the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC.

A WHO survey covering 115 countries found that only 39 percent provide universal basic cancer care, while merely 28 percent offer palliative care, including pain management.

"A person's location should not determine their survival prospects. We have tools enabling governments to prioritize cancer care and ensure universal access to quality, affordable services. This is not merely a question of resources but of political determination," stated Dr. Cary Adams, who leads the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).