WHO warns: number of new cancer cases will approach 35 million per year

The World Health Organization warns: By 2050, the number of new cases of cancer in the world may approach 35 million per year.

According to the new WHO global cancer report 2026in 2024, cancer was diagnosed in approximately 20.6 million peopleand the number of deaths has reached almost 9.8 million.

According to WHO forecasts, by 2050 the annual number of new diagnoses will increase to approximately 35 million. The main reasons will be population growth and aging, as well as continued exposure to tobacco, alcohol, obesity, infections and pollution.

What types of cancer are most common?

New WHO report does not distinguish between two specific forms of cancerwhich supposedly will become the most common by 2050.

According to International Agency for Research on Cancerin 2024 the most frequently diagnosed diseases in the world were:

lung cancer — about 2.64 million cases;
breast cancer – about 2.43 million;
colorectal cancer – about 2.04 million;
prostate cancer – about 1.55 million;
stomach cancer – about 980 thousand cases.

Lung cancer remained not only the most common, but also the deadliest cancer.causing approximately 1.9 million deaths.

What to expect in the US in 2026

Provides some data American Cancer Society. In the US, during 2026, approximately 2,114,850 new diagnosesor almost 5800 cases daily.

It is estimated that about 626,140 people.

The most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States are prostate cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer.

Expected approx. 333,830 cases of prostate cancerapproximately 324,580 cases of breast cancer in men and women and about 229,410 cases of lung cancer.

However, these figures refer only to the USA and only by 2026. They cannot be passed off as WHO’s global forecast until 2050.

Country of residence determines chances of survival

WHO highlights the huge gap in access to diagnosis and treatment.

In high-income countries, women’s five-year survival rate after being diagnosed with breast cancer is approximately 87%. In low-income countries this figure is only about 42%.

Less than a third of the world’s countries include comprehensive cancer care in universal health insurance programs. Even when treatment is available, it often remains inaccessible due to the cost of drugs, lack of specialists and late diagnosis.

According to WHO, in low- and middle-income countries, the availability of essential anticancer drugs ranges from 9% to 54%while in rich countries – from 68% to 94%.

Asia and Europe

Asia accounts for 50.7% of new cancer cases and 56.5% of deathswhich is largely explained by the population of the region.

Europe has only approximately 9% of the world’s populationhowever it accounts for about 21% of global diagnoses and 20% of deaths from cancer.

Four out of ten cases are preventable

According to WHO and International Agency for Research on Cancerapproximately 38% of new cancer cases are associated with preventable risk factors.

Smoking remains the main preventable factorwhich accounts for about 15% of new cases. This is followed by carcinogenic infections, including HPV and viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption, excess weight, lack of physical activity, air pollution and ultraviolet exposure.

At the same time, prevention reduces the risk, but does not provide an absolute guarantee: Cancer can also occur in a person who does not smoke, does not drink alcohol and leads an active lifestyle.

Cancer becomes a financial challenge

At least 45% of people facing cancer report serious financial difficulties. More than half of those surveyed by the WHO also reported mental health problems, and almost all family caregivers experienced additional workload.

In the United States, cancer-related health care costs for 2020 were estimated by the National Cancer Institute to be approximately $208.9 billion.

Editorial comment

The main conclusion of the WHO report is not that humanity is threatened by two separate forms of cancer. The problem is much broader: the number of diagnoses is growing, while access to early detection, medicines and quality treatment remains extremely uneven.

Today, the outcome of cancer too often depends not only on its type and stage, but also on the place of birth, family income and the capabilities of the national health care system.

The material is for informational purposes only and does not replace a doctor’s consultation, examination or individual recommendations from a specialist.

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