Breast Cancer Deaths to Surge 68% by 2050: WHO Warns
News Desk
New York: Global breast cancer cases are projected to increase by 38% by 2050, with annual deaths expected to surge by 68 percent, according to a new report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized branch of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Published in Nature Medicine on Tuesday, the report warns that if current trends persist, the world will face 3.2 million new breast cancer cases and 1.1 million related deaths annually by mid-century. The burden will be heaviest in low- and middle-income countries, where access to early detection, treatment, and care remains limited.
“Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide, and one woman dies from the disease. These statistics are worsening,” said Dr. Joanne Kim, an IARC scientist and co-author of the report.
She emphasized that countries can curb or reverse this trend by adopting primary prevention policies, such as WHO’s recommended “best buys” for noncommunicable disease prevention, and by investing in early detection and treatment.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women and the second most common cancer globally. In 2022 alone, an estimated 2.3 million new cases were diagnosed, with 670,000 deaths reported. However, the report highlights significant regional disparities.
The highest incidence rates were recorded in Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Northern Europe, while the lowest were found in South-Central Asia and parts of Africa. Meanwhile, the highest mortality rates were reported in Western Africa, where limited healthcare access leads to poorer outcomes.
The link between breast cancer survival and economic development is stark. In high-income countries, 83% of diagnosed women survive, whereas in low-income countries, more than half of those diagnosed succumb to the disease.
In response, WHO launched the Global Breast Cancer Initiative in 2021, aiming to reduce breast cancer mortality by 2.5 percent annually, potentially preventing 2.5 million deaths by 2040. The initiative prioritizes early detection, timely diagnosis, and access to quality treatment.
Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of IARC’s Cancer Surveillance Branch, stressed the need for high-quality cancer data to shape better policies in lower-income regions.
“Continued progress in early diagnosis and improved access to treatment are essential to bridging the global gap in breast cancer care and ensuring all countries can achieve the goal of reducing suffering and mortality,” she said.
The report underscores the urgent need for stronger health systems, increased funding for screening and treatment, and the adoption of cost-effective prevention policies. With cases and deaths expected to rise, global action is critical to preventing millions of avoidable deaths from a disease that is increasingly preventable and treatable.
