Global Cancer Cases Could Increase 60% in Next 20 Years

April 08, 2020 by Elisa Becze BA, ELS, Editor

If current trends continue, the world will see a 60% increase in cancer diagnoses through 2040, the World Health Organization said in its February 2020 Report on Cancer (https://www.who.int/publications-detail/who-report-on-cancer-setting-priorities-investing-wisely-and-providing-care-for-all): Setting Priorities, Investing Wisely, and Providing Care for All.  

Although the cancer rate has stabilized (https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/cancer-death-rates-see-largest-ever-single-year-drop) in the United States, WHO said that it expected low- and middle-income countries to see the highest increase (81%) in cancer diagnoses. The organization attributed the disparity to the countries’ limited resources to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancers.   

The report highlighted strategies proven to change outcomes:  

“This is a wake-up call to all of us to tackle the unacceptable inequalities between cancer services in rich and poor countries,” Ren Minghui, WHO assistant director-general, universal health coverage/communicable and noncommunicable diseases, said.  


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