The global cancer cases has dramatically changed over the past decade, with new cases rising by nearly 30% as life expectancy increases and unhealthy lifestyle habits become more prevalent. This significant uptick underscores a pressing need for enhanced prevention and treatment strategies worldwide.
According to a major study conducted by the Global Burden of Disease Cancer Collaboration and published in JAMA Oncology, the number of cancer cases globally reached 17.2 million in 2016, with 8.9 million deaths recorded. This represents a 28% increase in new cancer cases from 2006 to 2016, a rise attributed to both an expanding and ageing global population and advancements in screening and diagnostics.
The surge is particularly pronounced in low and middle-income countries, where emerging markets have seen a troubling increase in “lifestyle cancers,” including those linked to smoking, poor diet, and excessive sun exposure. These regions have experienced a dramatic rise in cancer rates as a result of targeted tobacco marketing and the influx of cheap, processed foods.
The study highlights that lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, accounting for 20% of all deaths in 2016. Among women, breast cancer is the most significant concern. The increasing prevalence of air pollution, including from industrial sources and household chemicals, is also recognised as a critical risk factor for lung cancer.
Furthermore, the rise in colorectal cancers is linked to increased alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyles, and processed food diets. Despite the troubling trends, the report notes that substantial prevention potential exists. Dr. Christina Fitzmaurice, Assistant Professor of Global Health at the University of Washington, emphasizes the importance of scaling up tobacco control, dietary interventions, and broader health promotion campaigns to combat these lifestyle-related cancers.
In contrast to the rise in lifestyle cancers, there has been a decline in cervical and stomach cancers, primarily due to improved vaccination and screening programs targeting infectious disease-related cancers. However, this decline highlights the disparity in cancer care globally. Women in less economically developed countries are disproportionately affected by cervical cancer, which remains the leading cancer killer in these regions due to limited access to vaccinations and screening.
Dr. Fitzmaurice stresses the need for universal healthcare access to enable early detection and treatment. Improving access to advanced diagnostic technologies, which are often unavailable in low-socioeconomic-development-index (SDI) countries, is essential for achieving global health equity.
While wealthier nations with extensive life expectancy and screening programs report higher rates of cancer diagnoses, it is in developing countries where the death toll from cancer is highest. The disparity underscores the urgent need for global health strategies that address both prevention and treatment to mitigate the impact of rising cancer rates worldwide.
