Global cancer cases set to reach 35m a year by 2050
The WHO and IARC project that global cancer cases will rise by 77% to over 35 million annually by 2050. Factors such as population growth, aging, and lifestyle risks like tobacco and obesity are cited as primary drivers.
Why it matters
This projection highlights a looming global health crisis that will require significant investment in prevention, detection, and treatment infrastructure.
ISLAMABAD: Cancer remains a major global health challenge, with nearly 20 million new cases and about 9.7 million deaths recorded worldwide in 2022, while the annual number of new cases is projected to exceed 35 million by 2050, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The projections point to a substantial increase in the global cancer burden, driven partly by population growth and ageing, alongside changes in exposure to risk factors. The WHO estimates that about one in five people will develop cancer during their lifetime, while approximately one in nine men and one in 12 women will die from the disease.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in