Lung Cancer Dominates Worldwide Diagnoses, Inequalities Persist Across Developed and Developing Nations
The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has released a startling report estimating a 77% increase in global cancer diagnoses by 2050, reaching a staggering 35 million cases compared to the 20 million diagnosed in 2022.
Lung cancer emerges as the most prevalent form globally in 2022, accounting for 2.5 million cases, or 12.4% of the total, with 1.8 million deaths attributed to it, nearly 19% of the total cancer-related fatalities. The report also highlights breast, colorectal, prostate, and stomach cancers as leading contributors to the global cancer burden.
Inequities in cancer care are particularly evident in developed nations, where the Human Development Index plays a significant role. High-HDI countries report higher incidences of breast cancer, but lower mortality rates due to better access to early detection and treatments. Conversely, low-HDI countries face higher mortality rates, mainly attributed to late diagnosis and a lack of treatment accessibility.
Dr. Bente Mikkelsen, director of WHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, emphasizes the urgent need for major investments to address global inequities in cancer outcomes. The report underscores disparities in cancer services, including radiation and stem cell transplants, and highlights the struggle of lower-income countries to provide essential cancer care.
Several factors are identified as drivers for the anticipated surge in cancer rates, including obesity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and environmental factors such as air pollution. The report urges international collaboration to develop and implement policies that promote cancer care for all, with WHO actively engaging with over 75 governments to address these challenges.
In the United States, the American Cancer Society’s recent report reveals a declining trend in cancer deaths, attributed to reductions in tobacco use, earlier detection, and improvements in treatments. However, racial disparities persist, and the incidence rates of certain cancers are rising, notably among younger adults.
President Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative aims to cut US cancer deaths in half within 25 years, with agencies like NASA and the Environmental Protection Agency collaborating to combat the disease. Dr. Cary Adams, head of the Union for International Cancer Control, emphasizes the need for political will to address disparities and ensure universal access to affordable, quality cancer services globally.