Published on: 2026-07-08
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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July 8, 2026 Healthcare
If countries do not take urgent measures to strengthen prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment, by 2050 the number of new cancer cases worldwide could increase to nearly 35 million per year. This is stated in a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The authors also point to inequalities in cancer patient survival rates between low-income and high-income countries.
Ten million deaths per year
The Global Cancer Report 2026, prepared jointly with the International Agency for Research on Cancer – a specialized agency of the WHO, states that cancer already claims 26,000 lives daily. Each year, about 20.6 million new cases are registered worldwide, along with nearly 10 million deaths, making cancer the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases.
The report’s authors note that despite progress in tobacco control, expanded vaccination, and advances in prevention, millions of people still face serious inequality in access to essential medical care.
“Cancer is a deeply personal disease that affects almost every one of us in one way or another. But a person’s chances of survival should not depend on where they were born or how much they earn,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“The inequality discussed in this report is not inevitable. It is the result of decisions made, and it can be overcome through more resolute and coordinated actions,” he added.
Inequality is growing
According to the report, survival rates vary significantly depending on a country’s income level. In high-income countries, 87 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer live at least five years after diagnosis. In low-income countries, this figure is only about 42 percent.
At the same time, less than a third of the countries in the world include cancer treatment in universal health coverage programs, which results in many patients being deprived of access to necessary diagnostics, treatment, and palliative care.
WHO also draws attention to the severe social and economic consequences of the disease. The first global survey of people affected by cancer showed that at least 45 percent experience serious financial difficulties; more than half report mental health problems; virtually all relatives caring for patients face significant burdens, including unpaid care and social isolation.
Differences between regions
In 2024, more than half of all cancer cases and deaths occurred in Asian countries, primarily due to the region’s large population.
In Europe, which is home to only about nine percent of the world’s population, 21 percent of all new cancer cases and 20 percent of deaths were registered, indicating a disproportionately high burden.
In many African countries and some regions of Asia, the incidence remains relatively low, but the mortality rate is significantly higher.
The deadliest cancer
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of death among all cancer diseases. In men, the most common are lung cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer. In women, the most frequently diagnosed are breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer.
In 2024, approximately 2.4 million new cases of breast cancer and 694,000 deaths related to this disease were registered worldwide.
Breast cancer occurs in all countries of the world and can develop in any woman after reaching puberty, with the risk increasing with age.
Prevention remains the key measure
According to WHO estimates, almost four out of ten cancer cases are linked to preventable risk factors. These include tobacco and alcohol consumption, obesity, insufficient physical activity, unhealthy diet, as well as infections caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B and C viruses.
The WHO emphasizes that preventive measures must take into account new risk factors. “We observe a decrease in the incidence of certain types of cancer in countries where prevention programs are implemented, but progress remains too slow,” said Elisabeth Weiderpass, director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
“The structure of oncological diseases is changing: obesity growth, insufficient physical activity, unhealthy diet, and air pollution are playing an increasing role. Therefore, cancer prevention must remain one of the political priorities,” she emphasized.
Achievements and ongoing challenges
The report’s authors highlight a number of significant achievements in the past decade: a decrease in smoking prevalence, expansion of vaccination programs, and strengthening of political commitment to cancer control.
Today, 82 percent of countries have national plans to combat cancer. In comparison, in 2010, only 50 percent of countries had such plans.
At the same time, access to essential medicines remains extremely uneven. In low- and lower-middle-income countries, the availability of 20 priority anticancer drugs ranges from only 9 to 54 percent, whereas in high-income countries, this figure reaches 68–94 percent.
The focus is on the individual
The WHO believes that the fight against cancer should go beyond purely medical treatment and be built around the needs of patients and their families.
“Cancer is not just a medical diagnosis. It deeply and lasting affects all aspects of a person’s life and that of their loved ones,” said Clarissa Schilstra, who survived childhood cancer and participated in conducting the WHO global survey.
She called on politicians to more actively involve people with personal experience of battling cancer in the development of a fairer and more effective healthcare policy.
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