Global cancer cases projected to rise 67 per cent by 2050

Global cancer cases are expected to rise by 67 per cent to 34.4 million a year by 2050, as population growth and ageing drive a sharp increase in the number of people living with the disease. The projection comes as cancer already claims millions of lives each year. An estimated 20.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer worldwide in 2024, while 9.8 million died from the disease, according to a new analysis by the American Cancer Society (ACS). Lung cancer was the most common cancer worldwide in 2024, with almost 2.6 million new cases and about 1.9 million deaths. It was also the biggest cause of cancer deaths, with tobacco use remaining a major driver. Breast cancer was the second most common, with about 2.4 million new cases and 694,000 deaths. Among women, it was the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths.