Cancer cases expected to soar worldwide, WHO report finds A new World Health Organization report has revealed that cancer will affect 92% of people globally, either through personal diagnosis or that of a close family member, with projections indicating a significant rise in cases by 2050. The report highlights persistent inequities in access to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care, despite scientific advancements in combating the disease. According to the WHO’s global status report on cancer, there are an estimated 20.6 million new cases and 10 million deaths from cancer annually. These figures are expected to increase to nearly 35 million cases by 2050. Dr. Andre Ilbawi, team lead for cancer control at the WHO, emphasized that while progress in cancer science is undeniable, millions of patients still face devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences after diagnosis. He noted that the narrative of scientific progress often overshadows the ongoing struggles of patients worldwide. The report underscores stark disparities in cancer care between high-income and low- and lower-middle-income countries. In wealthier nations, 85% of those diagnosed with breast or childhood cancers survive at least five years, compared to less than 30% in poorer countries. Access to essential cancer drugs also varies dramatically, with between 9% and 54% of the WHO’s top-20 priority drugs available in low- and lower-middle-income countries, versus 68% to 94% in high-income regions. Additionally, 23 countries lack radiation facilities entirely, exacerbating treatment challenges. Diagnosis rates in sub-Saharan Africa are lower than in wealthier regions, yet cancer-related deaths are disproportionately high in these areas.#world_health_organization #dr_andre_ilbawi #dr_isabelle_soerjomataram #abigail_simonhart #who_global_status_report_on_cancer
