Despite advances in medicine and more awareness of cancer prevention, the number of people diagnosed with cancer and dying from it has gone up sharply around the world.
Between 1990 and 2023, new cancer cases rose by 105% and cancer deaths went up by 74%. These numbers come from a major international study published in The Lancet by the Global Burden of Disease Study Cancer Collaborators.
The researchers warn that unless urgent actions are taken, we could see about 30.5 million new cancer cases and 18.6 million deaths from cancer by 2050. Most of these cases and deaths will happen in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where healthcare systems are weaker and people have less access to proper diagnosis and treatment.
One key reason for the rise in cancer cases is the growing global population and the fact that people are living longer. While it’s good news that age-standardized cancer rates (which adjust for population size and age) are not increasing, the number of cases and deaths is still rising because of these population changes.
This poses a big challenge for the United Nations’ goal to reduce deaths from non-communicable diseases, like cancer, by one-third by the year 2030.
Dr. Lisa Force from the University of Washington said cancer treatment still doesn’t receive enough attention or money, especially in countries that need it the most. She stressed the need for better cancer care that includes early diagnosis, proper treatment, and emotional and physical support.
The study gathered data from 204 countries and regions between 1990 and 2023. It looked at 47 types of cancer and 44 risk factors. It also included predictions up to the year 2050.
It found huge differences in how cancer affects people around the world. For example, countries like Lebanon saw the biggest increases in cancer rates and deaths, while the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan saw big improvements.
Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in the world, while lung-related cancers remain the top cause of cancer death. Another finding was that 42% of cancer deaths in 2023 were linked to things people can change—such as smoking, unhealthy diets, and high blood sugar levels. Tobacco use alone was responsible for 21% of all cancer deaths.
In richer countries, smoking and diet were major causes of cancer. In lower-income countries, unsafe sex was a top risk, contributing to many cancer deaths, especially among women.
The study showed that cancer deaths in men were more often linked to preventable causes than in women. The top risks for men included smoking, alcohol, and air pollution. For women, smoking, unsafe sex, and obesity were among the leading causes.
Experts say that reducing these risks could prevent millions of cancer cases and deaths. But for that to happen, countries need to invest in better healthcare, educate people about risks, and ensure fair access to treatment.
Dr. Meghnath Dhimal from Nepal called the growing cancer problem in poorer countries a disaster waiting to happen. He believes countries at all income levels can take action now with proven methods.
Dr. Force said governments should use this new data to build better health policies. But to make real progress, countries also need to improve their cancer data systems so that policies are based on accurate information.
There are still gaps in the current data, especially in poorer countries. Some cancers linked to infections like Helicobacter pylori or Schistosoma haematobium may be underreported.
The study also didn’t include the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or current global conflicts, which may make things even worse. Also, future medical breakthroughs could change the course of cancer, but those are not included in the predictions either.
In a related commentary, experts from the University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW called for more funding and stronger healthcare systems. They said that the fight against cancer depends on what we do now—and collective action today will shape cancer outcomes for decades to come.
The study is published in The Lancet.
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