According to a press release by the World Health Organization (WHO), the latest statistics from The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) provide a new picture of the global burden of cancer. The data collected by IARC spans 185 countries and 36 different types of cancer. Keep reading to find out what you need to know about the study, or view the original release here for further details.
Top of the List
While all cancer cases are concerning, research efforts benefit from knowing the frequency and mortality. In regards to the number of occurring cases, lung cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer are the three most common. Taken as a trio, these three cancers account for one third of all cancer cases and deaths across the world. In terms of mortality, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Colorectal and stomach cancer account for the next two leading causes of cancer deaths.
In terms of new cases each year, the numbers are somewhat different. Lung cancer and cancers of the female breast account for the highest number of new cancer cases. In 2018 alone, it is estimated there will be 2.1 million diagnoses of each of these cancers. Based on this statistic, lung cancer and breast cancer account for nearly 12% of the global cancer burden.
Taking Count
Cancer taken as a whole has become an increasing risk in the modern world. One reason this is happening is because populations as a whole are growing larger. Another factor is that the same larger populations are also living longer. Certain regions of the world experiencing rapid economic growth also appear to have higher incidences of certain cancers.
Estimates place the number of cancer deaths fro 2018 at 9.6 million. 18.1 million new cases of cancer are predicted to have occurred in 2018. Similarly, it is predicted that one in every five men, and one in every six women will experience cancer during some part of their life. Of people diagnosed with cancer, those who live five years after diagnosis make up roughly 44 million patients. While certain cancers have become less likely to occur or more treatable, the general rate at which cancer occurs has increased.
More information about the IARC report can be found online at the Global Cancer Observatory website.
