Global cancer cases on the rise

Abstract

Cancer is now the second leading cause of death worldwide after cardiovascular disease, with cases of nearly all types of cancer on the rise, an international study reports. The Global Burden of Cancer 2013 study examined data for cancer incidence, cancer-related deaths, and disability for 28 cancers in 188 countries from 1990 to 2013, and aimed to provide countries with estimates to guide decisions about cancer policy, prevention screeening, and treatment programmes. Overall, the researchers report that, from 1990 to 2013, the proportion of cancer deaths increased from 12% to 15% of all deaths. 14·9 million new cases of cancer and 8·2 million cancer deaths were reported in 2013. Men are more likely than women to develop cancer, with one in three men and one in fi ve women developing cancer worldwide. For men, the cancer with the highest incidence was prostate cancer, with 1·4 million new cases and 293 000 deaths in 2013. Prostate cancer cases have more than tripled during this period, fuelled by population growth and the ageing population. For women, the cancer with the highest incidence was breast cancer. In 2013, 1·8 million new cases of breast cancer and 464 000 deaths from breast cancer were reported. Incidence rates for breast cancer have increased the most in developing countries that do not have screening programmes. The rankings for developed and developing countries are similar for cancer deaths, although some notable diff erences exist. Cervical cancer ranks eighth in developing countries, compared with 18th in developed countries, and prostate cancer ranks 13th in developing countries, but is sixth in developed countries. Lead author Christina Fitzmaurice (Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA) said: “The study fi ndings will allow countries, particularly the developing countries, to identify what cancer prevention strategies they need to prioritise and allocate resources to ... Many of these cancers can be prevented through lifestyle changes, as well as vaccination programmes and through more aff ordable drug pricing policies for developing countries.” Rachel Thompson (The World Cancer Research Fund, London, UK) added: “We estimate about a third of most cancer cases in high-income countries, and about a quarter in middle and lower income countries, could be prevented through a healthy weight, diet, and physical activity”.