Global cancer figures

Global cancer figures

According to the 2021 GLOBOCAN report, which include data from 185 countries, the global cancer burden is expected to increase to 28.4 million cases – a 47% rise from 2020. The biggest increase is predicted for developing countries.

In 2020 an estimated 10 million people died as a result of cancer. Female breast cancer surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer.

An estimated 2.3 million (11.7%) new cases were reported.

This was followed by:

• Lung cancer 11.4%

• Colorectal cancer 10%

• Prostate cancer 7.3%

• Stomach cancer 5.6%

In 2019 cancer was the first or second leading cause of death before the age of 70 in 112 countries

Cancer deaths

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in men, followed by prostate and colorectal cancer. In women, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of death, followed by colorectal and lung cancer.

The top five leading causes of cancer deaths were:

• Lung cancer 18%

• Colorectal cancer 9.4%

• Liver cancer 8.3%

• Stomach cancer 7.7%

• Breast cancer 6.9%

Reference

Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of the incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2021. SF

Save the Date

11-13 February European Society for Medical Oncology Summit Africa Cape Town