World Cancer Day: WHO Reports Alarming Global Cancer Burden and Inequities in Services
Written by Arushi Sharma
The world stands on the precipice of a major cancer crisis, with new data unveiling a worrying trend: 20 million new cases in 2022, expected to jump by 77% by 2050. While low- and middle-income countries face a disproportionate rise, stark disparities in access to care paint a grim picture.
On the eve of World Cancer Day, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization (WHO), has released concerning estimates on the global cancer burden. The data highlights a growing prevalence of cancer, disproportionately impacting underserved populations and underscoring urgent action to address global cancer inequities.
In 2022, an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths occurred globally. The figures reveal that approximately 1 in 5 people develop cancer in their lifetime, with 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women succumbing to the disease. Lung, breast, and colorectal cancers collectively constituted two-thirds of new cases and deaths.
WHO's survey on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and cancer services indicates a stark reality – only 39% of participating countries cover basic cancer management as part of their financed core health services. Additionally, just 28% cover palliative care, including pain relief, under their health benefit packages.
Significant disparities were found based on the Human Development Index (HDI). Women in lower HDI countries were 50% less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than those in high HDI countries but faced a higher risk of death due to late diagnosis and limited access to quality treatment.
Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, emphasizes the urgent need for addressing global disparities in cancer outcomes. WHO's survey sheds light on major inequalities and financial challenges for cancer care worldwide, revealing populations, especially in lower-income countries, unable to access basic cancer services.
The projected cancer burden in 2050 is alarming, with over 35 million new cases predicted, reflecting a 77% increase from 2022 estimates. High HDI countries are expected to experience the greatest absolute increase, while low and medium HDI countries face a disproportionate rise in both incidence and mortality.
Dr. Freddie Bray, Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, stresses that the impact of this increase will disproportionately affect those with the fewest resources. Dr. Cary Adams, head of UICC, emphasizes that where someone lives should not determine whether they live and calls for political will to address the critical issue.
As World Cancer Day approaches, the global community faces an urgent call to action to address the escalating cancer crisis and ensure equitable access to quality cancer care for all.