Global Cancer Deaths Projected to Surge 75 Percent by 2050: Lancet Study - Video

Cancer deaths are projected to rise, reaching over 18 million by 2050, marking a nearly 75% increase from 2024, according to a new analysis published in The Lancet by the Global Burden of Disease Study Cancer Collaborators.

The study underscores cancer as a growing contributor to the global disease burden. Using data from 1990 to 2023, researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) modelled cancer incidence and mortality trends and forecasted future cases and deaths through 2050. They warn that 30.5 million new cancer cases and 18.6 million deaths are expected to occur in 2025 alone.

The analysis found that in 2023, an estimated 42% (4.3 million) of the 10.4 million cancer deaths were attributable to 44 potentially modifiable risk factors, presenting significant opportunities for prevention. Tobacco use alone accounted for 21% of cancer deaths, remaining the leading risk factor globally, except in low-income countries where unsafe sex was the top contributor, linked to 12.5% of cancer deaths.

Lead author Dr Lisa Force, from IHME, University of Washington, emphasized the urgency of global action: “Cancer remains an important contributor to disease burden globally, and our study highlights how it is anticipated to grow substantially over the coming decades, with disproportionate growth in countries with limited resources.” She added, “Despite the clear need for action, cancer control policies and implementation remain underprioritised in global health, and there is insufficient funding to address this challenge in many settings.”

The study also called for improved cancer surveillance, especially in low and middle income countries, to ensure data-informed policymaking.

With cancer cases continuing to rise, researchers are urging governments and international health bodies to prioritize cancer prevention, equitable care, and robust health systems to mitigate the future impact.

Reference: The global, regional, and national burden of cancer, 1990–2023, with forecasts to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, Force, Lisa M et al. The Lancet, Volume 0, Issue 0