ISLAMABAD: (News Desk) – The number of new cancer cases worldwide could rise by 67% by 2050, compared with 2024 levels, according to a joint assessment by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The study estimates that around 21 million new cancer cases were recorded globally in 2024, while approximately 9.8 million people died from the disease.
Researchers warn that cancer could affect one in five people during their lifetime, while the risk of dying from the disease stands at roughly one in nine for men and one in 13 for women.
By 2050, annual cancer diagnoses are projected to reach around 67 million, representing a 67% increase from 2024.
The researchers described cancer as one of the biggest medical challenges of the 21st century and a significant barrier to improving life expectancy worldwide. They said understanding how cancer is spreading and where its burden is increasing will be crucial for prevention and control efforts.
The study also highlighted the importance of early detection and timely treatment, noting that a substantial proportion of cancer-related deaths could potentially be prevented.
According to the IARC database, the incidence and mortality of 34 cancer types have been recorded across 186 countries, although the burden varies considerably between regions.
Cancer rates are particularly high in Australia and New Zealand, while comparatively lower rates have been reported in Africa and South and Central Asia.
Most Common Cancers Worldwide
Lung cancer remains the most common cancer globally. Around 2.6 million new cases and 1.9 million deaths were estimated in 2024.
Breast cancer ranked second, with approximately 2.4 million new cases and 694,000 deaths.
Colorectal cancer was the third most common, recording more than 2 million new cases and around 918,000 deaths.
Liver cancer accounted for approximately 843,000 cases and 732,000 deaths, making it one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide.
Stomach cancer recorded about 980,000 new cases and 642,000 deaths, while pancreatic and cervical cancers are also contributing significantly to the global cancer burden.
The study further reported around 959,000 thyroid cancer cases, placing it among the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide.
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