Cancer cases are on the rise across the world. A new study published Tuesday in the JAMA Network Open journal found cancer cases associated with 36 types of cancer are expected to rise 77% by 2050.
It focused on 185 countries using data obtained from the Global Cancer Observatory database. In addition to the expected increase in cancer cases to approximately 35.5 million cases, cancer deaths are expected to increase 90% over the next 25 years to a total of 18.5 million.
“This cross-sectional study used population-based data from 2022 in 185 countries and territories were obtained from the Global Cancer Observatory database,” said the study. “Data extraction and analysis were carried out in April 2024.”
As of 2020, cancer was already a leading cause of death worldwide. Close to 10 million deaths were attributed to it that year, according to the World Health Organization.
According to the new study, cancer cases are expected to explode to nearly triple their current numbers in countries that rank low on the Human Development Index. Moderate increases are also expected in countries ranked higher. Males are also expected to have a higher incidence of cancer cases and deaths.
Here are the countries that study authors found had the highest age-standardized incidence rate of cancers:
1. Australia
2. New Zealand
3. Denmark
4. USA
5. Norway
6. The Netherlands
7. Canada
8. Ireland
9. Belgium
10. France (metropolitan)
Researchers also included a list of the countries where with highest projected increases in cancer cases were expected by 2050:
1. Kuwait
2. Equatorial Guinea
3. United Arab Emirates
4. Syrian Arab Republic
5. Tanzania
6. Zambia
7. Niger
8. Burundi
9. Angola
10. Gaza Strip and West Bank
Other research has also indicated cancer cases are on the rise. This year alone, Audacy has reported on a projected increase in Australian male cancer rates, a large-scale study led by American Cancer Society (ACS) researchers that found rates of cancer in younger generations have continued to climb for 34 different cancers, increasing skin cancer rates and increasing colon cancer rates in young people.
“Cancer prevention and care efforts have been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic and armed conflicts, resulting in a decline in the global Human Development Index (HDI), particularly in low- and middle-income countries,” said the study authors. “These challenges and subsequent shifts in health care priorities underscore the need to continuously monitor cancer outcome disparities and statistics globally to ensure delivery of equitable and optimal cancer prevention and care in uncertain times.”