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The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new report indicating that breast cancer cases are projected to rise by 38 percent globally by 2050.
Developed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a specialized branch of WHO, the report also estimates a 68 percent increase in annual deaths caused by the disease.
It cautions that if the current trend is not addressed, cases will continue to escalate. The findings were published in Nature Medicine on Monday.
The report further indicates that if the present trends persist, by mid-century, the world could experience 3.2 million new cases of breast cancer and 1.1 million deaths linked to the disease each year. “The impact will be felt disproportionately in low- and middle-income countries, where there is limited access to early detection, treatment, and care,” the report states.
“Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer around the globe and one woman succumbs to the disease, with these figures worsening,” noted Joanne Kim, an IARC scientist and co-author of the report. “Countries have the ability to mitigate or reverse these trends through the implementation of primary prevention strategies, such as WHO’s suggested 'best buys' for preventing non-communicable diseases, and by investing in early detection and treatment,” she added.
Kim pointed out that breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide and the second most common cancer overall. In 2022, about 2.3 million new cases were reported, resulting in 670,000 deaths.
Nonetheless, the report highlights significant regional disparities. The highest incidence rates were observed in Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Northern Europe, while the lowest were found in South-Central Asia and certain African regions. In contrast, the highest mortality rates were recorded in Melanesia, Polynesia, and Western Africa, where limited healthcare access hinders favorable outcomes.
The connection between breast cancer survival rates and economic development is evident. In high-income nations, 83 percent of women diagnosed with the disease survive, whereas more than half of women diagnosed in low-income countries succumb to it.
In 2021, WHO launched the Global Breast Cancer Initiative, which aims to lower mortality rates from breast cancer by 2.5 percent annually, potentially preventing up to 2.5 million deaths by 2040. This initiative emphasizes early detection, prompt diagnosis, and access to high-quality treatment.
Isabelle Soerjomataram, deputy head of IARC’s Cancer Surveillance Branch, stressed the importance of high-quality cancer data in shaping better policies in lower-income regions. “Advancements in early diagnosis and improved treatment access are crucial. These efforts will help bridge the global gap in breast cancer and ensure that the objective of alleviating suffering and deaths from breast cancer is met by all nations,” she stated.
The report highlights the need for robust health systems, increased investment in breast cancer screening and treatment, and the adoption of cost-effective prevention strategies. With the anticipated surge in cases and fatalities, the international community faces an urgent challenge that demands coordinated efforts to ensure that millions of lives are not lost to a disease that is increasingly preventable and treatable.
