The World Health Organization‘s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has issued a stark warning about the escalating global cancer burden, projecting that the number of new cancer cases will surge to over 35 million by 2050. This represents a staggering 77 percent increase from the approximately 20 million cases reported in 2022.
The rise in cancer incidence is attributed to several key factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity, and air pollution. These risk factors are exacerbated by population growth, aging demographics, and changes in exposure patterns due to socioeconomic development.
According to the WHO, the most significant increases in cancer cases are expected in the most developed countries, where an additional 4.8 million new cases are forecasted by 2050 compared to 2022 estimates. However, in terms of percentage increase, countries with lower levels of human development, as measured by the Human Development Index (HDI), will experience the greatest proportional rise – up to 142 percent.
Furthermore, the WHO warns that cancer mortality rates are also set to surge, nearly doubling in countries with lower HDI levels by 2050. Freddie Bray, head of the cancer surveillance branch at IARC, emphasizes that the impact of this increase will disproportionately affect countries with limited resources to manage the growing cancer burden.
In summary, the WHO’s alarming projections underscore the urgent need for global action to address the root causes of cancer and to ensure equitable access to prevention, screening, and treatment services, particularly in regions with limited healthcare resources.
Reference: https://www.sciencealert.com/who-warns-cancer-cases-will-jump-77-by-2050-heres-why
