Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday that the number of new cancer cases diagnosed worldwide each year could rise to 35 million, from 20.6 million in 2024, unless countries take urgent action.
The WHO's global status report on cancer 2026 said 92% of the world's population will be affected by cancer at some point in their lives, either personally or through a close family member.
The report highlights stark inequalities in cancer detection and treatment around the world.
The survival rate for breast cancer stands at 85% in wealthy countries, compared with around 40% in poorer nations, according to the WHO. Access to at least minimal treatment is available in just 39% of countries.
Many debates centre on new technologies, new treatment options and new hopes, said WHO expert André Ilbawi. However, this is not the reality for many people around the world, who he said are "still being left behind."
"Cancer is a deeply personal disease that touches nearly all of us. But whether a person survives cancer should never depend on where they were born or what they earn," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
A cancer diagnosis often causes severe psychological distress for patients and their families, but the disease is also "a leading driver of medical bankruptcy," the WHO report states. It says more than half of patients and their families face catastrophic health care costs.
Among major risk factors, smoking has declined, with 27% fewer people smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes than in 2010. Progress on reducing alcohol consumption has been limited, while obesity and physical inactivity continue to increase.
"The primary gap is no longer a gap in knowledge, but a gap between what we know and what we do," the report states.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death globally. Lung, prostate and colorectal cancers are among the most common cancers in men, while breast, lung and colorectal cancers account for a substantial share of the burden among women.
Nearly four in ten cancer cases globally are linked to preventable risk factors, particularly infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and helicobacter pylori, alcohol, tobacco use, high body mass index, and insufficient physical activity, highlighting the critical role of prevention.
The report marks an important opportunity to place people affected by cancer at the centre of cancer control efforts. It calls on governments, international organisations, civil society, academic institutions, the private sector, and WHO to work together to deliver a people-centred and holistic approach to care for individuals and families affected by cancer.
