Cancer is already one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with cancer cases increasing in younger adults. According to a National Institutes of Health study, people younger than 50 years experienced a sustained increase in cancer incidence from 1995 through 2021.
Now, experts are warning that cancer cases around the world are expected to nearly double by 2050, according to the Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO). The data indicate that without major changes, the people most affected will continue to be those with the least access to care.
Annual cancer cases are expected to rise from 20.6 million in 2024 to 35 million by 2050. This increase will impact lower-income countries the most, where it is harder to get cancer detection and treatment.
“Cancer is a deeply personal disease that touches nearly all of us. But whether a person survives cancer should never depend on where they were born or what they earn,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “The inequities documented in this report are not inevitable; they are the consequence of choices, and they can be reversed through stronger and unified action.”
How a person is impacted by cancer can greatly depend on the region they live in. In 2024, Asia represented over half of all cancer cases and deaths, according to the WHO. Europe, which accounts for only nine percent of the world’s population, accounts for 21 percent of cases and 20 percent of deaths.
Although African countries and parts of Asia have fewer cancer cases, they have higher death rates. Limited early detection, slow treatment, limited access to specialists, and fewer essential medicines all contribute to these disparities.
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Although the WHO report highlights global differences, many of the inequities it describes mirror the experience of many Black Americans. In the U.S., Black Americans face long-standing disparities, including systemic health inequalities and worse outcomes despite medical advances. Despite the fact that cancer rates are the same or lower than those of other populations, Black patients often have much higher death rates, according to a 2019 study in JAMA Oncology.
These disparities are highly prevalent, with many cancers disproportionately impacting Black Americans, according to recent research.
Currently, Black men have the highest prostate cancer death rate in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. Additionally, Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, even though they have a slightly lower incidence. Colorectal cancer and multiple myeloma also disproportionately afflict Black patients, causing higher death rates than any other population.
Research has shown that Black Americans are more likely to experience delayed diagnosis, lack of insurance, mistrust of the medical system, and underrepresentation in clinical trials.
Black patients also tend to get less aggressive treatment or wait longer for specialized care due to implicit bias in the healthcare system. Closing these gaps requires systemic change, according to the WHO report. Every patient should have strong support, so the burden does not fall only on individuals.
Although cases are rising worldwide, many forms of cancer are relatively preventable. Prevention is also one of the most effective and cost-effective ways to reduce the global burden of cancer.
The World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer estimate that about 37 to 40 percent of cancer cases are linked to preventable risk factors.
Infections like human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and Helicobacter pylori, as well as tobacco use, drinking alcohol, being overweight, and not getting enough exercise, are all preventable factors that can increase a person’s likelihood of developing cancer.
“While we are seeing reductions in some cancer rates in countries that have implemented prevention policies, progress has been too slow,” said Dr. Elisabete Weiderpass, Director of WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). “The cancer profile is evolving, increasingly driven by rising rates of obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and air pollution. Cancer prevention must remain a political priority.”
The good news?
The report shows some progress in the right direction. Tobacco use has dropped by 27 percent since 2010, and infection-related cancers are decreasing due to increased vaccination and improved water, sanitation, and hygiene. In wealthier countries, more than 85 percent of people with breast cancer survive at least five years. However, in poorer countries, that number is below 30 percent.
Vaccinations, healthy lifestyle changes, and regular screenings can help detect disease before symptoms appear, which can be highly important for cancers that may progress aggressively without noticeable symptoms:
Around the world, more countries are taking action. Approximately 82 percent of countries have national cancer control plans, a significant jump from 50 percent in 2010. Science is also advancing faster. Clinical trials grew by 7.3 percent annually from 2005 to 2021. Still, these improvements are not bringing life-saving results fast enough. Although research shows that clinical trials help researchers better understand how new treatments work in diverse communities, there are still many barriers that prevent Black communities from participating. This includes mistrust, financial burden, lack of transportation, eligibility, and simply not being asked or informed by healthcare providers.
Many people are also still struggling to get the cancer medicines they need. In low- and lower-middle-income countries, only nine to 54 percent of the top 20 cancer medicines are available, while in high-income countries, access ranges from 68 to 94 percent.
“Cancer is not just a medical diagnosis – it profoundly, indefinitely affects every aspect of a person’s life, and their family’s as well,” said Clarissa Schilstra, a childhood cancer survivor and a lead of WHO’s survey. “We urge policymakers to meaningfully engage with people affected by cancer. By voicing our lived experiences, we can inform more equitable, effective solutions.”
Mental health and financial hardship also greatly impact cancer patients.
According to the survey, at least 45 percent of people with cancer face financial hardship, and more than half struggle with mental health issues. According to the National Cancer Institute, facing financial stress causes patients to delay appointments, skip medications, or stop treatment altogether:
The good news is that cancer treatments are improving, and more people are surviving. However, the WHO report shows that innovation alone will not close the equity gap. Expanded access to prevention, early detection, affordable treatment, and strong support services is necessary, especially for Black communities and other marginalized groups. Awareness is important, but not without real accountability and systems that guarantee every patient, no matter their background, can get the care they need.
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