The World Health Organization released a report on Thursday (1st), assessing that by 2050, the number of new cancer cases worldwide will increase by 77% to 35 million. The report points out four major reasons for a large number of people to develop cancer, and reminds people to take precautions.
The report, which counts 185 countries and territories around the world, estimates that there will be 20 million new cases of cancer and 9.7 million deaths due to cancer worldwide in 2022.
Top 5 cancer types in 2022
Lung cancer
Lung cancer has been confirmed to be the most common cancer worldwide, with 2.5 million new cases, accounting for 12 percent of the total number of new cases4%。At the same time, lung cancer also has the highest number of deaths, with 1.8 million deaths, accounting for 18 of all cancer deaths7%。According to the report, the resurgence of lung cancer as the most common cancer may be linked to the prevalence of smoking culture in Asia.
Breast cancer
Female breast cancer came in second with 2.3 million new cases, accounting for 116%。Despite the high prevalence.
At present, women have a higher chance of developing breast cancer in the most developed countries, with 1 in 12 women suffering from breast cancer in their lifetime, but due to better medical technology and diagnosis and treatment, only 1 in 71 women die from breast cancer.
The opposite is true for countries with low HDIs, where 1 in 27 women will develop breast cancer and 1 in 48 women will die from it.
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer ranked third in terms of new cases, with 1.9 million cases, accounting for 96%。Meanwhile, colorectal cancer ranks second in deaths, with 900,000 deaths, accounting for 93%。
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer ranked fourth in terms of new cases, with 1.5 million cases, accounting for 73%。Prostate cancer is a common malignancy in men, and awareness, early diagnosis and research efforts are essential for effective prevention and development. In China, from 1988 to 2021, the incidence in men increased 3-4 times.
Gastric cancer ranked fifth in terms of new cases, with 970,000 cases, accounting for 49%。Stomach cancer ranks fourth in deaths, with 660,000 deaths, accounting for 68%。
Although liver cancer is not among the top five cancers, it ranks fourth in terms of deaths, with 760,000 deaths, accounting for 78%。
Cancer in 2050**
By 2050, there will be more than 35 million new cancer cases worldwide, a 77% increase from 2022. The rapid increase in cancer cases worldwide is due on the one hand to an ageing and expanding population, and partly due to the estimated higher risk of exposure to cancer-causing factors: tobacco, alcohol, obesity and air pollution.
In addition, the 6 types of cancer whose prevalence is on the rise, including endometrium, liver, kidney, pancreas, colorectal and breast cancers, are all associated with excess weight.