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Global cancer cases could rise 67% by 2050, report says

By World Desk September 8, 2026 Health & Education
Global cancer

LONDON: The number of new cancer cases worldwide could increase by 67% by 2050 compared with 2024, according to joint research by the American Cancer Society and the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Researchers estimated that nearly 21 million new cancer cases were recorded worldwide in 2024, along with about 9.8 million deaths from the disease.

The projections suggest that roughly one in five people worldwide could develop cancer at some point in their lives in the coming decades. The risk of dying from cancer is estimated at about one in nine for men and one in 13 for women.

By 2050, annual cancer cases could reach approximately 67 million, representing a 67% increase from 2024, the research found.

Researchers described cancer as one of the major medical challenges of the 21st century and a significant obstacle to increasing life expectancy worldwide. They said understanding the changing global cancer burden could help governments and health systems improve prevention and control strategies.

The researchers also estimated that nearly half of cancer deaths could currently be prevented, emphasizing the importance of early detection and timely access to effective treatment.

Data from the IARC showed increases in cancer cases and deaths across 186 countries involving 34 types of cancer. However, the researchers noted that cancer does not affect all regions equally.

Cancer rates were reported to be higher in Australia and New Zealand, while lower rates were recorded in Africa and South and Central Asia.

Lung cancer remained the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide in 2024, with about 2.6 million new cases and 1.9 million deaths.

Breast cancer was the second most common, with about 2.4 million cases and 694,000 deaths. Colorectal cancer ranked third in terms of new cases, with more than 2 million diagnoses, and was the second-leading cause of cancer deaths, accounting for about 918,000 deaths.

Liver cancer recorded about 843,000 new cases and 732,000 deaths, making it the third-leading cancer cause of death globally.

Among men, bladder cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths, with about 1.5 million cases and 420,000 deaths.

The research also highlighted rising rates of stomach, cervical and pancreatic cancers. About 980,000 stomach cancer cases and 642,000 deaths were recorded, while thyroid cancer accounted for roughly 959,000 cases, making it the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.