Global Breast Cancer Cases and Deaths Expected to Surge, WHO Warns

Breast cancer diagnoses and deaths are set to rise sharply worldwide, according to a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO). The report, published in Nature Medicine, outlines alarming projections for 2050, fueled by factors such as an ageing population, changing lifestyles, and inadequate access to healthcare services.

Surge in Cases and Deaths: In 2022, around 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 670,000 died from the disease, making it the most common cancer in women globally. According to the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), if current trends continue, by 2050 there will be 3.2 million new cases and 1.1 million deaths annually.

Rising Numbers: Breast cancer is projected to affect one in 20 women in their lifetime, with cases rising 38% and deaths climbing 68% over the next 25 years. Low- and middle-income countries are expected to face the brunt of this increase due to limited access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Preventive Measures: Experts emphasize that about a quarter of breast cancer cases could be prevented through lifestyle changes, such as reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and increasing physical activity. Early detection, improved awareness, and better healthcare infrastructure are essential to reversing these trends.

Dr. Joanne Kim, an IARC scientist, urged that investing in prevention and treatment could help mitigate the alarming statistics, saying, “Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide and one woman dies from the disease.”

The report calls for global action to address this growing health crisis and improve breast cancer awareness, screening, and treatment worldwide.

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