WHO report forecasts 35 million annual cancer cases by 2050

A new global report projects a staggering rise in cancer cases over the next quarter-century, highlighting profound inequities in survival and access to care that are set to worsen the burden. The findings, released on July 8, 2026, estimate that approximately 20.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer worldwide in 2024, with nearly 10 million deaths. By 2050, annual new cases are projected to soar to 35 million, driven primarily by population growth and aging.

The report, a collaboration between the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, underscores that cancer is not only a leading health threat but also a source of severe financial and social hardship. A related survey found that at least 45 percent of affected people experience financial hardship, more than half report mental health challenges, and nearly all caregivers face significant strain.

Persistent and widening inequities in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are central to the crisis. Survival rates vary dramatically by region and income. For example, while over 85 percent of women with breast cancer survive five years after diagnosis in high-income countries, that rate...