WHO Warns: Cancer Cases Projected to Nearly Double by 2050
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the world must take immediate, concrete steps to control cancer. Without faster and more equitable efforts, the number of new cancer cases is projected to nearly double by 2050.
In the WHO Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, compiled with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the WHO estimates that new global cancer cases will rise from approximately 20.6 million per year to nearly 35 million by 2050. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases. Each year, around 20.6 million new cases and nearly 10 million deaths are recorded, meaning more than 26,000 people die from the disease every day.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that cancer is a disease that can affect almost anyone, either directly or through a family member. “Cancer is a deeply personal disease that touches nearly all of us. But whether someone survives cancer should not depend on where they were born or how much they earn,” Tedros said. He argued that the current disparities in cancer services are not unchangeable but are the result of policy choices that can be corrected through stronger, coordinated action.
The WHO report also highlighted the persistent gap in access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care across different countries. In high-income countries, about 87 per cent of women with breast cancer are still alive five years after diagnosis. In contrast, in low-income countries, the figure is only around 42 per cent. Furthermore, less than one-third of the world’s countries have included cancer services in their universal health coverage (UHC) packages. The WHO also found that essential cancer medicines remain difficult to access in many developing nations, with the availability of 20 priority cancer drugs ranging from just 9 to 54 per cent in low- and lower-middle-income countries, compared to 68 to 94 per cent in high-income countries.
For the first time, the WHO also surveyed cancer survivors and their families. The results showed that at least 45 per cent of patients experienced financial hardship, while more than half faced mental health challenges. Nearly all family members providing care reported experiencing strain, from unpaid caregiving burdens to social isolation. The WHO emphasised that cancer is not just a medical issue but has a significant economic and social impact on families.
Asia recorded the highest cancer burden globally in 2024, accounting for over 50.7 per cent of global cases and 56.5 per cent of cancer deaths, in line with its large population. Europe accounted for 21 per cent of cases and 20 per cent of deaths, despite having only about 9 per cent of the world’s population. Meanwhile, some countries in Africa and parts of Asia reported lower incidence rates but much higher mortality rates due to limited healthcare services.
Lung cancer remains the deadliest form of the disease worldwide. In men, the most common cancers are lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer, while in women, the highest burden comes from breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. The report also revealed that nearly four in ten cancer cases are linked to preventable risk factors, including infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and Helicobacter pylori, as well as alcohol consumption, tobacco use, obesity, and physical inactivity.
IARC Director Elisabete Weiderpass noted that the global cancer profile is shifting. “While some countries have successfully reduced cancer rates through prevention policies, progress is still too slow. Cancer is increasingly driven by rising obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and air pollution. Cancer prevention must remain a political priority,” she said. The WHO acknowledged some progress, such as a 27 per cent decline in global tobacco use since 2010 and 82 per cent of countries now having a national cancer control plan, up from 50 per cent in 2010. However, the organisation insists that current efforts are insufficient to curb the projected surge in cases and urges governments, academia, the private sector, and civil society to collaborate on building more patient-centred cancer control systems. The report recommends strengthening cancer services through universal health coverage, enhancing social protection for patients and families, and ensuring equitable access to research and innovation.