IARC: Cancer cases could increase by 77% by 2050

Photo by Unsplash February 2, MINSK . The number of cancer cases worldwide will increase by approximately 77% by 2050 compared to 2022, according to a forecast by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized division of the World HEALTH Organization, the UN News Center website reports.

According to the IARC forecast, more than 35 million new cases of cancer are expected worldwide in 2050.

The agency's latest report, published ahead of World Cancer Day (February 4), also states that the rapidly growing threat of cancer reflects both the aging and growth of the population and changes in people's exposure to risk factors. Experts cite tobacco,ALCOHOL , obesity and air pollution.

“The overall trend towards increasing cancer incidence will be unevenly felt across countries with different levels of human development index,” warned Freddie Bray, HEAD of the WHO cancer surveillance unit. According to him, the brunt of the global burden will be borne by those with the least resources to fight cancer.

The results of a survey conducted by WHO in 115 countries show that most of them do not have adequate funding for basic cancer treatment services. In addition, inequality in access to quality cancer treatment remains worldwide. it is noted that despite the progress achieved in the field of early cancer detection, treatment and care for cancer patients, significant differences in cancer treatment outcomes remain not only between high- and low-income regions of the world, but also within countries themselves.

“Where a person lives should not determine whether they live,” said Dr. Carey Adams, head of the Union for International Cancer Control.

As noted, in 2022, about 20 million new cases of cancer and 9.7 million deaths caused by it were registered. The most common types were lung cancer (2.5 million new cases, or 12.4%), breast cancer (2.3 million cases, or 11.6%), colorectal cancer (1.9 million cases, or 9.6%), prostate cancer (1.5 million cases, or 7.3%) and stomach cancer (970 thousand cases, or 4.9%).

Lung cancer became the leading cause of cancer death in the world (1.8 million deaths), followed by colorectal cancer (900 thousand deaths), liver cancer (760 thousand deaths), breast cancer (670 thousand deaths), and stomach cancer (660 thousand deaths).

It is indicated that approximately one in five people will develop cancer during their lifetime, while approximately one in nine men and one in twelve women will die from this disease.