Cancer Statistical Overview

Cancer Statistical Overview

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 9.6 million deaths were recorded due to cancer globally in 2018. Here's a breakdown of some key statistics:

• In 2018, there were 153 million new cases diagnosed.
• Lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, stomach, liver, cervix, ovarian, esophagus, pancreas, brain, thyroid, and kidney cancers accounted for almost two-thirds of all cancer diagnoses.
• More than half of all cancers occur in the developed world.
• Worldwide, 70% of cancers are caused by lifestyle factors, while only 30% are due to inherited genetics or environmental factors such as exposure to ionizing radiation.

In terms of regional distribution, the Americas had the highest number of cancer cases (31%) followed closely by Europe (30%). Similarly, Asia reported the lowest rate of global cancer incidence (27%), with Africa accounting for 13%, and Australasia and Eastern Europe each contributing 5%.

When looking at specific types of cancers, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed worldwide with over 2 million cases detected in 2018. The second and third highest are colorectal and lung cancers respectively.

The World Health Organization reports that cancer incidence rates are projected to increase globally by about 30%, with deaths increasing by approximately 33% between 2018 and 2040. This underscores the need for continued research, awareness, and prevention efforts to combat this disease.