World Health Organization: Cancer Cases Worldwide Expected to Increase by Over 75% by 2050

The World Health Organization (WHO) has predicted in a new report that new cancer cases will rise by 77% to over 36 million by the year 2050. The estimated cancer cases in 2022 were 20 million with 9.7 million deaths annually, while in 2020, the global cancer cases were estimated at 18 million. This report, released ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, forecasts that highly developed countries will experience the highest absolute increase in cancer cases over the next 25 years. However, less developed countries will see a disproportionate increase in cancer rates, potentially placing a heavier burden on their healthcare systems. The International Agency for Research on Cancer predicts a 142% increase in cancer rates for countries with lower development levels by 2050, while the increase for middle-income countries is projected at 99%. Freddy Bray, head of the cancer monitoring center at WHO, states that the global population is expected to rise from 8 billion in 2022 to nearly 10 billion by 2050, which will significantly impact the number of new cancer cases. Countries with lower development levels have fewer resources to manage cancer. The WHO report identifies tobacco, alcohol, and obesity as significant factors in the rising incidence of cancer globally, with air pollution being a major environmental risk factor. New estimates show that lung cancer, with 2.5 million new cases in 2022, is the most common cancer worldwide. Breast cancer in women ranks second, followed by colorectal, prostate, and stomach cancers. The report notes that breast cancer is the most diagnosed and leading cause of death among women, while lung cancer is the most diagnosed and leading cause of cancer mortality among men. Bray mentions that 'one in five men and one in five women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and one in nine men and one in twelve women will die from this disease.' WHO estimates highlight significant inequalities, indicating that people in poorer and less developed countries are at greater risk. Isabel Surjomataram, deputy head of the cancer monitoring center at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, states that this is particularly true for breast cancer, where women in less developed countries are 50% less likely to be at risk of breast cancer compared to women in developed countries and face a much higher risk of death from the disease due to late diagnosis and inadequate access to quality treatment. A WHO survey of 115 countries shows that most countries do not provide adequate cancer services and care under universal health coverage, and cancer patients who have to pay out of pocket are less likely to seek help, receive treatment services, and complete care. The rising cancer statistics in Iran; Dr. Kordasti: Cancer diagnosis in Iran is not done correctly. The Ministry of Health reported an annual registration of 90,000 new cancer cases. An official reported that 26,000 people die annually due to air pollution. Annually, 55,000 cancer patients die in Iran; a 43% increase is predicted.