The WHO predicts breast cancer cases will rise by 38 percent by 2050, leading to 3.2 million new cases and 1.1 million deaths annually. This increase will be most severe in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative aims to reduce mortality rates by focusing on early detection and treatment. Health disparities exacerbate the situation, underscoring the need for urgent action.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that breast cancer cases are estimated to increase by 38 percent globally by 2050, with annual fatalities projected to rise by 68 percent. According to a report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), approximately 3.2 million new diagnoses and 1.1 million deaths from breast cancer are anticipated annually by mid-century. This alarming trend is expected to disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, where early detection and treatment are often lacking.
Dr. Joanne Kim, an IARC scientist and co-author of the report, highlighted the urgency of the crisis, stating, “Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide and one woman dies from the disease, and these statistics are worsening.” She emphasized that nations can mitigate these trends through the implementation of primary prevention policies based on the WHO’s guidelines and through investments in early detection and treatment.
Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women and the second most common cancer globally. In 2022, an estimated 2.3 million individuals were diagnosed with this disease, resulting in approximately 670,000 deaths. However, the incidence of breast cancer varies significantly by region, with the highest rates reported in Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Northern Europe. Conversely, South-Central Asia and parts of Africa reported the lowest rates of incidence.
Mortality rates highlight the healthcare disparities faced by various populations, with Melanesia, Polynesia, and Western Africa experiencing the highest rates of breast cancer deaths, largely due to inadequate access to healthcare. The survival rate for breast cancer is starkly different based on economic status; in high-income countries, 83 percent of diagnosed women survive, while in low-income nations, over half of diagnosed women do not survive the disease.
In response to this growing crisis, WHO initiated the Global Breast Cancer Initiative in 2021, targeting a reduction in breast cancer mortality rates by 2.5 percent annually, which could potentially save 2.5 million lives by 2040. The initiative emphasizes the critical nature of early detection, timely diagnosis, and access to high-quality treatment for all women affected by the disease.
Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram from IARC also stressed the necessity for high-quality cancer data in lower-income regions to inform effective policymaking. She stated, “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.”
The report calls for significant improvements in health systems, increased funding for screening and treatment, and the adoption of cost-effective preventive measures. With the projected rise in breast cancer cases and deaths, coordinated global actions are imperative to prevent the loss of millions to a disease that is increasingly preventable and treatable.
In summary, breast cancer cases are expected to rise dramatically by 2050, particularly impacting low- and middle-income countries. The WHO and IARC have highlighted the pressing need for nations to adopt effective prevention policies and improve access to treatments. Addressing these disparities and investing in healthcare systems is crucial to mitigating the impending global burden of breast cancer.
Original Source: news.un.org
