Cancer remains one of the world’s greatest public health challenges, with a new report projecting a sharp increase in cases over the coming decades.
According to the Global Cancer Statistics 2026 report by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), approximately 21 million people were diagnosed with cancer worldwide in 2024, while 9.8 million died from the disease.
The report estimates that nearly one in five people will develop cancer during their lifetime. It also projects that one in nine men and one in 13 women will die from the disease.
Researchers forecast that annual new cancer cases will rise to 34 million by 2050, representing a 67% increase compared with 2024.
The projection is based solely on global population growth and aging, meaning the actual burden could be even greater if major risk factors—including smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, and certain infections linked to cancer—are not significantly reduced.
The report draws on data from GLOBOCAN, IARC’s global database tracking the incidence and mortality of 34 types of cancer across 186 countries.
Lung Cancer Remains the Deadliest
Lung cancer continued to rank first worldwide in both new diagnoses and deaths.
In 2024, there were approximately 2.6 million new lung cancer cases, accounting for 13% of all cancer diagnoses, while about 1.9 million people died from the disease, representing nearly 19% of all cancer deaths.
The report identifies smoking as the leading risk factor, underscoring the importance of smoking cessation programs and protection from secondhand smoke.
Breast cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer globally, with about 2.4 million new cases and 694,000 deaths. It remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide.
Survival Depends on Access to Care
The report highlights major disparities in cancer outcomes between countries, noting that survival often depends not only on the type or stage of cancer but also on access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
As an example, women in West Africa are about twice as likely to die from breast cancer as women in Australia and New Zealand, despite breast cancer incidence in West Africa being roughly half as high. Researchers attribute the difference primarily to delayed diagnosis and limited access to specialized care.
Similar inequalities exist for other cancers, particularly in countries with lower levels of economic and social development.
Other Leading Cancers
Colorectal cancer ranked as the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer deaths, with more than 2 million new cases and approximately 918,000 deaths.
Liver cancer caused around 732,000 deaths, while stomach cancer was associated with about 980,000 new cases and 642,000 deaths. The highest rates of stomach cancer were recorded in East Asia.
Prostate cancer was the second most common cancer among men, with approximately 1.5 million new diagnoses and 420,000 deaths. Mortality rates were disproportionately high in the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa.
Although pancreatic cancer ranked only 11th in new cases, it was the sixth leading cause of cancer death, claiming approximately 491,000 lives.
Prevention Could Save Millions of Lives
The report concludes that nearly half of all cancer deaths may be linked to modifiable risk factors and that a substantial number of deaths could be prevented through earlier diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Cervical cancer is cited as a clear example. The disease is largely preventable through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and regular screening, yet it remains the leading cause of cancer death among women in 26 countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South and Central America.
The authors stress that while each country faces unique challenges requiring tailored national strategies, prevention should remain at the center of every cancer control plan.
Avoiding tobacco, limiting or eliminating alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising regularly, preventing infections associated with cancer, and participating in recommended screening programs based on age, sex, family history, and medical guidance can significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease.
