Worldwide, about one in five people will develop cancer during their lifetime, according to a report published July 8 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Led by researchers at the American Cancer Society and the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, the report provides global cancer statistics from 2024 for 34 cancer types across 186 countries, a July 8 ACS news release said.
Here are five things to know from the report:
- In 2024, about 21 million people were diagnosed with cancer and 9.8 million died from the disease.
- The number of cancer cases is projected to increase 67% between 2024 and 2050, reaching 34 million cases due solely to population growth and aging. The largest increases are expected to be seen in countries with lower human development indices.
- Estimates show that one in nine men and one in 13 women will die from cancer globally.
- In 2024, the highest rates of cancer incidence were observed in Australia and New Zealand, and the lowest rates were observed in parts of Africa and South-Central Asia.
Cancer mortality rates were highest in Eastern Europe among men and in Melanesia among women. - The cancers that accounted for the most cancer diagnoses in 2024 were:
- Lung: 12.8%
- Female breast: 11.8%
- Colorectal: 9.9%
- Prostate: 7.5%
- Stomach: 4.7%
The cancers that accounted for the most cancer deaths in 2024 were: - Lung: 19.1%
- Colorectal: 9.4%
- Liver: 7.5%
- Female breast: 7.1%
- Stomach: 6.6%
Read the full “Global cancer statistics 2024” report here.
At the Becker's Perioperative Summit, taking place September 14–15 in Chicago, perioperative leaders and healthcare executives will focus on improving operating room efficiency, enhancing patient safety, optimizing staffing and driving innovation across surgical services. Apply for complimentary registration now.
