Cancer incidence rates worldwide
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Global Cancer Incidence Rates: Key Statistics and Trends
Worldwide Cancer Incidence and Mortality: Recent Estimates
In 2022, there were nearly 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer deaths worldwide. About one in five people will develop cancer in their lifetime, and one in nine men and one in twelve women will die from it. Lung cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancer globally (12.4% of all cases), followed by female breast cancer (11.6%), colorectal cancer (9.6%), prostate cancer (7.3%), and stomach cancer (4.9%). Lung cancer also remained the leading cause of cancer death, responsible for 1.8 million deaths (18.7%), followed by colorectal, liver, female breast, and stomach cancers 316.
Regional and Economic Differences in Cancer Incidence
Cancer incidence rates vary greatly by region. In 2022, incidence rates ranged from over 500 per 100,000 in Australia/New Zealand to under 100 per 100,000 in Western Africa for men, and from over 400 per 100,000 in Australia/New Zealand to about 100 per 100,000 in South-Central Asia for women . High-income countries have the highest incidence rates for cancers such as lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate, while low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have higher rates of stomach, liver, esophageal, and cervical cancers 52. Mortality rates for breast and cervical cancers are notably higher in transitioning countries compared to transitioned countries .
Trends Over Time: Rising Global Cancer Burden
The global cancer burden has been rising steadily. In 1990, there were 8.1 million new cancer cases (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer), which increased to 14.9 million in 2013, 18.1 million in 2018, 19.3 million in 2020, and nearly 20 million in 2022 4721+1 MORE. The number of new cancer cases is projected to reach 28.4 million by 2040 and 35 million by 2050, with the largest increases expected in less developed regions due to population growth and aging 138. The proportion of cancer cases among older adults is also rising, with nearly 60% of global cancer incidence expected to occur in this age group by 2035 .
Most Common Cancers: Global Patterns
- Lung Cancer: The most common cancer in men and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide 3124+1 MORE.
- Breast Cancer: The most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer death among females, with incidence rates rising in many regions, especially in low- and middle-income countries 3110.
- Colorectal Cancer: The third most common cancer globally, with incidence more than doubling from 1990 to 2019. The burden is rising fastest in younger adults and in low- and middle-income countries 39.
- Prostate and Stomach Cancers: Also among the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide 312.
Risk Factors and Prevention
Key risk factors for cancer include tobacco use, unhealthy diets, obesity, physical inactivity, and infections. The increase in cancer incidence in many regions is linked to the adoption of Western lifestyle behaviors and population aging 3157. Prevention strategies targeting these risk factors could prevent millions of future cancer cases and deaths .
Conclusion
Cancer incidence rates are rising worldwide, with significant regional and economic differences. Lung, breast, and colorectal cancers are the most common globally. The cancer burden is expected to grow substantially in the coming decades, especially in less developed regions and among older adults. Addressing key risk factors and improving cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment—especially in low- and middle-income countries—are critical for reducing the global impact of cancer 3158.
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