According to the Daily Mail, American researchers have calculated that in 2023, there were 18.5 million new cases of cancer worldwide, with deaths reaching 10.4 million. If this trend continues, by 2050, the annual number of new diagnoses could rise to 30.5 million, and cancer-related deaths could increase to 18.6 million.
The primary reasons for this surge are an aging population and the spread of risk factors: smoking, obesity, unhealthy diets, and exposure to toxic substances.
What Experts Are Saying
Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK, emphasized, “ remains the leading cause of cancer and death in the UK. Legislation on tobacco and vaping must be a priority.” She also highlighted the importance of vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) and expanding screening programs.
Dr. Lisa Fors from the University of Washington pointed out that funding for cancer research in many countries remains inadequate, and access to quality diagnostics and treatment is uneven.
Differences Between Countries
According to a study published in The Lancet, the highest increase in incidence and was recorded in Lebanon (up by 80%), as well as in Laos and Equatorial Guinea.
Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates, the number of new cancer cases has decreased by 56%, and in Kazakhstan, mortality has dropped by more than 58%. The UK has managed to reduce mortality by 23.4%, while the US and Australia have seen reductions of about one-third.
However, despite these positive developments, national healthcare systems face serious challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic led to delays in diagnosis and treatment: for instance, in the UK alone, around 40,000 cancer cases were missed in the first year.
What This Means for Us
Cancer remains the number one challenge for medicine in the 21st century. While countries show varying results, the key to reducing mortality is the same everywhere: prevention, early diagnosis, and access to modern treatment.
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