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WHO: Cancer cases could approach 35 million annually by 2050
🇴🇲 Oman /Health & Science

WHO: Cancer cases could approach 35 million annually by 2050

From Times of Oman · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • The World Health Organization warns that new cancer cases could reach nearly 35 million annually by 2050 if urgent action isn't taken.
  • Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, responsible for over 26,000 deaths daily.
  • The WHO report highlights that about 40% of cancer cases are linked to preventable risk factors, emphasizing the need for prevention and equitable access to care.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning: new cancer cases could surge to almost 35 million annually by 2050 unless immediate measures are implemented. Cancer remains the world's second-deadliest disease, trailing only cardiovascular diseases.

The WHO's Global Cancer Report 2026, compiled with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), indicates that cancer claims over 26,000 lives each day. The report documented approximately 20.6 million new cases and nearly 10 million deaths in the past year alone. Curbing this escalating trend, the report stresses, requires a patient-centered approach to cancer control and addressing the growing disparities in access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that survival should not be determined by one's birthplace or income. The report further noted that roughly 40% of all cancer cases are associated with preventable risk factors. These include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, and certain infections, underscoring the critical importance of investing in prevention strategies.

The chances of surviving cancer should never depend on place of birth or income level.

— Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusWHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlights the issue of health equity in cancer survival.
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Originally published by Times of Oman in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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