Alarming numbers on cancer growth

The study was published April 4 in the journalCAThe report said that globally, 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer deaths will be recorded in 2022. The figures are consistent with data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in February.

According to the report, an estimated 1 in 5 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, resulting in a death rate of 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women. At this rate and the projected global population, new cancer cases are expected to increase by 77% to 35 million by 2050.

“The overall scale of cancer and the diversity of cancer types by region of the world underscore the need to strengthen targeted cancer control measures. Investing in prevention, including targeting key cancer risk factors, could prevent millions of cases and save lives,” the report concludes.

The most common types of cancer

Experts used the GLOBOCAN database to study 36 types of cancer in 185 countries in 2022. The following are the most common cancers in both sexes combined, although there are some notable differences between the sexes. For example, breast cancer is more common in women than lung cancer.

Lung cancer - accounts for 12.4% of cancer cases

Breast cancer - 11.6%

Colorectal cancer - 9.6%

Prostate cancer - 7.3%

Stomach cancer - 4.9%

The top 10 cancers account for about two-thirds of all cases globally. Liver, thyroid, cervical, bladder, and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas make up the rest of the top 10 in both sexes.

Cancer risk depends on where you live.

Here are cancer incidence and mortality rates by geographic region:

Asia - 49.2% of new cases, 56.1% of deaths globally

Africa - 5.9% and 7.8%

Oceania - 1.4% and 0.8%

Europe - 22.4% and 20.4%

Americas - 21.1% and 14.9%.

Cancer cases will increase by 77% globally

According toUSA TodayLung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death globally, is likely to increase in less developed countries, the report said, citing a "tobacco epidemic" in countries linked to lung cancer rates.

For example, lung cancer rates in the UK and the US fell after smoking rates fell in those two countries, but not until 20–25 years later. In countries undergoing economic transition and with rising smoking rates, lung cancer rates are likely to continue to rise for decades to come.

The study concluded that targeting risk factors, including smoking, obesity and infections, is essential to save lives and deliver socio-economic benefits.