The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for urgent global action against cancer, warning annual new cases could reach 35 million globally by 2050.
WHO said on Wednesday that cancer causes more than 26,000 deaths daily, with 20.6 million new cases yearly worldwide.
The organisation said reversing the trend required a people-centred approach prioritising health needs and experiences of affected individuals globally.
The warning is contained in the WHO Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, developed jointly with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The report assessed progress in political commitment, cancer prevention, tobacco control, vaccination programmes and treatment investments across countries.
“It however found persistent and widening inequalities in access to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and supportive care globally.”
According to the report, 87 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer survive five years in wealthy countries.
In low-income countries, only about 42 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer survive at least five years.
The report also revealed that fewer than one-third of countries include comprehensive cancer care in universal health coverage.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said cancer survival should never depend on birthplace or income level.
Ghebreyesus said disparities highlighted in the report resulted from policy choices and could be reversed through coordinated action.
He noted that most people would experience cancer personally or through a close family member during their lifetime.
“Beyond its health consequences, the report described cancer as one of the most financially and socially devastating diseases.”
WHO’s first global survey showed at least 45 per cent of people affected by cancer experienced financial hardship.
The survey found more than half of respondents reported mental health challenges, while caregivers experienced emotional strain.
Regionally, Asia recorded the highest cancer burden in 2024, accounting for more than half of cases globally.
“Europe contributed 21 per cent of global cancer cases and 20 per cent of deaths in spite of its population.”
The report noted that many countries in Africa and parts of Asia experienced lower incidence but higher mortality.
“Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, while prostate and colorectal cancers remain common.”
“Among women, breast, lung and colorectal cancers account for a significant share of the global cancer burden.
“The report estimated that nearly four in every 10 cancer cases are linked to preventable risk factors.”
These risk factors included tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity, infections and physical inactivity, according to the report.
IARC Director, Elisabete Weiderpass, said overall global progress against cancer remained too slow in spite of improvements.
She warned that rising obesity, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and air pollution increasingly drove the global cancer burden.
“WHO reported encouraging gains, including a 27 per cent decline in tobacco use since 2010 globally.”
The report also noted an increase in national cancer control plans from 50 to 82 per cent.
In spite of progress, access to essential cancer medicines remained limited in many low- and lower-middle-income countries globally.
“WHO urged governments, development partners and stakeholders to strengthen universal health coverage and ensure equitable cancer care”.
——Says 4 In 10 Cancer Cases Preventable—–
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) say up to four in ten cancer cases globally can be prevented.
The organisations said this in a recent statement, citing a new global analysis.
According to the release, issued ahead of the is ahead of World Cancer Day 2026, with theme “United by Unique”, estimates that 37 per cent of all new cancer cases in 2022, were linked to preventable causes.
Also, it said that the estimate represented 7.1 million cases worldwide.
The organisation said the study examined 30 preventable causes of cancer, including tobacco, alcohol, high body mass index, physical inactivity and air pollution.
It also considered ultraviolet radiation and, for the first time, nine cancer-causing infections.
“The findings highlight the enormous potential of prevention in reducing the global cancer burden,” the statement said.
According to the analysis, drawing on data from 185 countries and 36 cancer types, tobacco remained the leading preventable cause of cancer, responsible for 15 per cent of all new cases.
It said infections accounted for 10 per cent, while alcohol caused three per cent of new cancer cases.
It noted that lung, stomach and cervical cancers made up nearly half of all preventable cancers.
”Lung cancer was primarily linked to smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer was largely attributable to Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer was overwhelmingly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV),” it said.
Dr André Ilbawi, WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control and an author of the study, said the analysis was the first to show the extent of preventable cancer risks.
“By examining patterns across countries and population groups, we can provide governments and individuals with more specific information to help prevent many cancer cases before they start,” Ilbawi said.
She said preventable cancer was significantly higher in men than in women with 45 per cent of new cancer cases in men compared with 30 per cent in women.
“In men, smoking accounted for 23 per cent of new cancer cases, followed by infections at nine per cent and alcohol at four per cent,” she said.
“Among women globally, infections accounted for 11 per cent of new cancer cases, followed by smoking at six per cent and high body mass index at three per cent.”
Also, Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the IARC Cancer Surveillance Unit and senior author of the study, said the report was a comprehensive assessment of preventable cancer globally.
She said it incorporated infectious causes of cancer for the first time, alongside behavioural, environmental and occupational risks.
“Addressing these preventable causes represents one of the most powerful opportunities to reduce the global cancer burden,” she said.
She said preventable cancer varied across regions and that among women it ranged from 24 per cent in North Africa and West Asia to 38 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Among men, the highest burden was in East Asia at 57 per cent and the lowest in Latin America and the Caribbean at 28 per cent,” she said.
She said the differences reflected varying exposure to risk factors, socioeconomic conditions and national prevention policies.
She said they also reflected differences in health system capacity.
“The findings underscore the need for context-specific prevention strategies that include strong tobacco control measures, alcohol regulation and vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B.
“Others include improved air quality, safer workplaces and healthier food and physical activity environments,” she said.
Soerjomataram said coordinated action across sectors could prevent millions from experiencing the burden of cancer.
She added that reducing preventable risks would also lower long-term health costs and improve population well-being.
