WHO projects global cancer cases to nearly double by 2050

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) released the Global Status Report on Cancer 2026. The report notes that each year there are about 20.6 million new cancer cases and 10 million deaths, making cancer the second leading cause of death worldwide. More than 90 % of the global population will be affected at some point, either directly or through a family member, and one in five people will develop cancer during their lifetime.

If current trends continue, the number of new cases could rise to around 35 million annually by 2050 – almost a doubling of today’s figures. The report highlights deep inequities: survival rates are far higher in high‑income countries (over 85 % five‑year survival for breast cancer) compared with less than 30 % in many low‑income settings. Access to essential oncology medicines ranges from 9‑54 % in low‑income nations versus 68‑94 % in wealthier countries, and many low‑income regions lack radiotherapy facilities.

Economic burdens are substantial, averaging about 1 % of national GDP in the 39 countries that track cancer spending. Preventable risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and infections (HPV, hepatitis B/C) account for roughly 40 % of cases. WHO officials emphasized that “cancer is a deeply personal disease that affects almost everyone” and warned that survival should not depend on where a person is born or how much they earn, calling for stronger, coordinated action to close the gaps.