Global Cancer Cases Hit 20.6 Million in 2024 as Deaths Reach 9.8 Million
Updated
Updated · IARC · Jul 8
Global Cancer Cases Hit 20.6 Million in 2024 as Deaths Reach 9.8 Million
2 articles · Updated · IARC · Jul 8
Summary
IARC and ACS estimated 20.6 million new cancer cases and 9.8 million deaths worldwide in 2024 across 34 cancer types in 186 countries.
1 in 5 people are expected to develop cancer during their lifetime, while 1 in 9 men and 1 in 13 women are projected to die from the disease.
Lung cancer remained the biggest burden, causing 2.6 million new cases—12.8% of the total—and 1.9 million deaths, or 19.1% of all cancer deaths.
By 2050, global cancer incidence is projected to rise 67% from 2024 levels to 34.4 million cases, underscoring calls for stronger prevention and control strategies.
The report points to tobacco, infections, alcohol use, excess body weight and physical inactivity as major preventable risks, with the data now available on IARC's open Global Cancer Observatory platform.
If nearly half of all cancer deaths are preventable, why are global cases projected to skyrocket by 2050?
With cancer cases set to surge 67% by 2050, how will the world cope with a 100-million-worker shortfall in care?
Can we trust global cancer data when its source faces accusations of being swayed by lawsuits and political motives?
Global Cancer Burden 2024: Escalating Incidence, Disparities, and the Path Forward
Overview
The global cancer burden remains a major public health challenge, with recent research using data from 185 countries revealing a prevalence of 178.9 cases per 100,000 people as of 2022. Comprehensive assessments have provided important insights into the current state of cancer worldwide, highlighting significant disparities and projecting trends for 36 different cancer types. These studies are crucial for guiding global health strategies and resource allocation, as they help identify where the burden is greatest and inform efforts to address the complex and varied nature of cancer across diverse populations.