The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that global breast cancer cases will rise by 38% by 2050, with annual deaths increasing by 68%.
Findings from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a WHO branch, indicate that 3.2 million new cases and 1.1 million deaths could occur yearly if current trends continue. Published in Nature Medicine on Monday, the report highlights the disproportionate impact on low- and middle-income countries, where early detection and treatment remain inadequate.
“Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and one woman dies from it,” said Dr. Joanne Kim, IARC scientist and co-author. She emphasized that countries could reverse the trend through WHO’s recommended non-communicable disease prevention policies and investments in early detection and treatment.
Regional Disparities in Breast Cancer Cases
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women and the second most common cancer overall. In 2022 alone, 2.3 million cases were diagnosed, leading to 670,000 deaths.
However, incidence rates vary by region. The highest rates were reported in Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Northern Europe, while the lowest were in South-Central Asia and parts of Africa.
Mortality rates were highest in Melanesia, Polynesia, and Western Africa, where limited healthcare access contributes to poorer survival outcomes.
Survival Gaps Between High- and Low-Income Countries
In high-income countries, 83% of women diagnosed with breast cancer survive. However, in low-income nations, more than half die from the disease due to delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options.
Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of IARC’s Cancer Surveillance Branch, emphasized the importance of high-quality cancer data to improve policies and bridge global healthcare gaps.
Call for Stronger Health Systems and Prevention
The report calls for stronger health systems, increased funding for screening and treatment, and cost-effective prevention strategies. WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative, launched in 2021, aims to reduce mortality rates by 2.5% per year, potentially preventing 2.5 million deaths by 2040.
With cases and deaths projected to rise, urgent global action is needed to combat this increasingly preventable and treatable disease.