Breast cancer cases are projected to increase by nearly 40% globally by 2050, with annual deaths from the disease expected to rise by a staggering 68%, according to a recent report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized branch of the World Health Organization (WHO). The findings, published in Nature Medicine on Monday, paint a concerning picture of the future burden of breast cancer worldwide.
The report warns that if current trends persist, the world will witness 3.2 million new breast cancer cases and 1.1 million related deaths annually by mid-century. This alarming increase highlights the urgent need for preventive measures and enhanced healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to early detection and treatment remains limited.
“Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide, and one woman dies from the disease. These statistics are worsening,” noted Dr. Joanne Kim, an IARC scientist and co-author of the report. She emphasized that countries can mitigate these trends by adopting WHO’s recommended ‘best buys’ for noncommunicable disease prevention and investing in early detection and treatment programs.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women and the second most common cancer overall. In 2022 alone, approximately 2.3 million new cases were diagnosed, leading to 670,000 deaths. However, the impact varies significantly across different regions.
The highest incidence rates have been recorded in Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Northern Europe, while South-Central Asia and parts of Africa report the lowest. However, mortality rates are highest in Melanesia, Polynesia, and Western Africa, where healthcare access is severely limited. The survival gap is stark: 83% of women diagnosed in high-income countries survive, while more than half of those diagnosed in low-income countries succumb to the disease.
In response to this crisis, the WHO launched the Global Breast Cancer Initiative in 2021, aiming to reduce breast cancer mortality rates by 2.5% per year, which could prevent 2.5 million deaths by 2040. The initiative emphasizes early detection, timely diagnosis, and improved access to quality treatment.
Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of IARC’s Cancer Surveillance Branch, stressed the importance of high-quality cancer data to drive better policies, particularly in lower-income regions. “Continued progress in early diagnosis and improved access to treatment are essential to address the global gap in breast cancer and ensure that the goal of reducing suffering and death from breast cancer is achieved by all countries worldwide,” she stated.
The projected rise in breast cancer cases and deaths presents an urgent challenge that requires immediate, coordinated action. Strengthening healthcare systems, increasing funding for breast cancer screening and treatment, and adopting cost-effective prevention policies are crucial steps forward.
With millions of lives at stake, the global community must act now to combat breast cancer and ensure equitable healthcare access for all women, regardless of their economic status. The time to act is now before the burden becomes insurmountable.
