By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
THE World Health Organization (WHO) has called for urgent global action to combat cancer, warning that the number of new cases could rise from 20.6 million annually to nearly 35 million by 2050 if current trends continue.
In its newly released Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, developed jointly with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the WHO said cancer remains the world’s second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease, claiming close to 10 million lives each year equivalent to more than 26,000 deaths every day.
The report highlights significant progress in cancer prevention and treatment in some parts of the world, but notes that millions of people continue to face barriers in accessing lifesaving services, particularly in low-income countries.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said cancer survival should not depend on a person’s country of birth or income level.
“Cancer is a deeply personal disease that touches nearly all of us. But whether a person survives cancer should never depend on where they were born or what they earn,” he said.
The report reveals stark inequalities in cancer outcomes.
While 87 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer in high-income countries survive at least five years after diagnosis, the figure drops to about 42 percent in low-income nations.
Fewer than one-third of countries currently include cancer care within their universal health coverage programmes.
Beyond the health burden, the disease continues to place severe financial and emotional pressure on patients and families.
WHO’s first global survey of people affected by cancer found that at least 45 percent experience financial hardship, more than half struggle with mental health challenges, and most caregivers face significant strain, including social isolation and unpaid care responsibilities.
The burden of cancer also varies widely across regions. Asia accounted for more than half of all global cancer cases and deaths in 2024, while Europe recorded a disproportionately high share of cases and fatalities despite having a much smaller share of the world’s population.
Meanwhile, many African and Asian countries continue to experience high cancer mortality rates despite lower incidence levels.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Among men, lung, prostate and colorectal cancers are the most common, while breast, lung and colorectal cancers are among the leading cancers affecting women.
Health experts say nearly 40 percent of all cancer cases are linked to preventable risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets and certain infections, including human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and helicobacter pylori.
IARC Director Dr Elisabete Weiderpass said the global cancer landscape is changing, with lifestyle-related factors increasingly driving disease rates.
“While we are seeing reductions in some cancer rates in countries that have implemented prevention policies, progress has been too slow,” she said.
“Cancer prevention must remain a political priority.”
The report acknowledges important gains over the past decade.
Tobacco use has declined by 27 percent since 2010, national cancer control plans are now in place in 82 percent of countries, and vaccination programmes have helped reduce infection-related cancers. Scientific research has also expanded, with cancer clinical trials growing steadily worldwide.
However, WHO warned that access to essential cancer medicines remains severely limited in many low- and middle-income countries.
Availability of priority cancer drugs ranges from just 9 to 54 percent in poorer nations, compared to between 68 and 94 percent in wealthier countries.
Cancer survivor and WHO survey lead Clarissa Schilstra urged governments to involve patients and families in shaping future cancer policies.
“Cancer is not just a medical diagnosis – it profoundly affects every aspect of a person’s life and their family’s as well,” she said.
The WHO is now calling on governments, health institutions and international partners to strengthen prevention efforts, improve access to screening and treatment, and address inequalities in cancer care to prevent millions of avoidable deaths in the coming decades.