Key Highlights:
- One-third of cancer deaths are attributed to factors such as tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and insufficient physical activity
- Cancer-causing infections like HPV and hepatitis contribute to around 30% of cancer cases in low- and lower-middle-income countries
- The most common cancers are breast, lung, colon and rectum and prostate cancers
Nowadays, cancer emerges as a pervasive global challenge. Ahead of World Cancer Day on 4th February, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), have released the latest estimates of the global burden of cancer. The report underscores the growing challenge of cancer, its disproportionate impact on underserved populations, and the pressing need to address cancer inequities worldwide. In 2022, an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths were recorded, with approximately 1 in 5 people developing cancer in their lifetime, and 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women succumbing to the disease.
The WHO’s global survey on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and cancer revealed that a majority of countries do not adequately finance priority cancer and palliative care services as part of their UHC initiatives. Only 39% of participating countries covered the basics of cancer management, and just 28% additionally covered care for people in need of palliative services. The report also highlighted the urgent need for sustainable financing mechanisms and comprehensive cancer services as part of UHC to achieve better overall outcomes.
The IARC’s Global Cancer Observatory data showed that lung, breast, and colorectal cancers were the most commonly occurring types of cancer worldwide in 2022. The report emphasized that the impact of the increasing cancer burden will be felt unevenly across countries, with those having the fewest resources bearing the brunt of the global cancer burden. The WHO’s estimates and survey results underscore the critical need for concerted global efforts to address the growing burden of cancer and ensure equitable access to comprehensive cancer care and services.
WHO predicts that in the year 2050 Bangladesh will have 347,783 new cancer cases, more than double the new cases recorded.
Bangladesh
The incidence of cancer in Bangladesh is on the rise, with a projected significant increase in new cases by 2050. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, the country may experience more than double the number of new cancer cases recorded in 2022. The report, which was based on data from 185 countries and 36 types of cancers, identified oesophagus, lip, oral cavity, and lung cancers as the most common in Bangladesh.
The impact of cancer in the country is substantial, with an estimated 13 to 15 lakh cancer patients, and about 2 lakh new cancer diagnoses each year. The rising prevalence of cancer in Bangladesh is attributed to various factors, including the consumption of adulterated and junk food, a sedentary lifestyle, tobacco and alcohol use, and pollution. The lack of comprehensive national data on cancer in Bangladesh has prompted calls for urgent epidemiological studies to understand the full extent of the cancer burden in the country.
The increasing number of cancer patients has also highlighted the need for improved cancer care services, early detection, and screening programs in Bangladesh. The WHO report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the escalating cancer burden in the country through concerted efforts in prevention, early detection, and comprehensive care. Three major cancer types in 2022: lung, breast, and colorectal cancers.
Three major cancer types in 2022: lung, breast and colorectal cancers
In 2022, lung, breast, and colorectal cancers were the most commonly occurring types of cancer worldwide, collectively comprising around two-thirds of new cases. Lung cancer accounted for 2.5 million new cases, followed by breast cancer with 2.3 million cases and colorectal cancer with 1.9 million cases. Lung cancer was also the leading cause of cancer death, with 1.8 million deaths, followed by colorectal cancer with 900,000 deaths.
The incidence and mortality of cancer varied by sex, with breast cancer being the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women, and lung cancer being the most common cancer in men. Cervical cancer was the eighth most commonly occurring cancer globally and the ninth leading cause of cancer death, with 661,044 new cases and 348,186 deaths.
The WHO Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative aims to scale up efforts to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. The IARC’s Global Cancer Observatory data also highlighted the uneven distribution of the cancer burden across countries, emphasizing the urgent need for concerted global efforts to address the escalating cancer burden and ensure equitable access to comprehensive cancer care and services.
Anticipated Surge in Global Cancer Cases by 2050
A significant upswing in the global cancer burden is foreseen for 2050, with projections exceeding 35 million new cases—an alarming 77% surge from the estimated 20 million cases in 2022. This surge is driven by factors such as population aging, growth, and evolving exposure to risk factors, many linked to socioeconomic development. Notably, tobacco, alcohol, and obesity play pivotal roles in the escalating cancer incidence, while air pollution remains a persistent environmental risk.
Concerning the absolute burden, high Human Development Index (HDI) countries are poised to witness the most substantial increase, with an estimated 4.8 million additional cases in 2050 compared to 2022. However, the most striking proportional rise is expected in low HDI countries (142% increase) and medium HDI countries (99%). Simultaneously, cancer mortality in these nations is projected to nearly double by 2050.
Dr. Freddie Bray, Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, emphasizes, “The impact of this increase will not be evenly distributed across countries of varying HDI levels. Those with the least resources to manage their cancer burdens will bear the brunt of the global cancer burden.”
Prevention
Cancer risk can be reduced by implementing the following preventive measures:
- Not using tobacco, including avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Maintaining a healthy body weight and engaging in regular physical activity.
- Eating a healthy diet, including fruit and vegetables, and reducing consumption of saturated fat and red meat.
- Limiting alcohol consumption, ideally to no more than one drink per day.
- Getting vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B if you belong to a group for which vaccination is recommended.
- Avoiding or reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation and using sun protection measures.
- Ensuring safe and appropriate use of radiation in health care (for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes).
- Minimizing occupational exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Reducing exposure to outdoor air pollution and indoor air pollution, including radon.
