The World Health Organisation has projected that global breast cancer cases will increase by 38 percent by 2050, according to a new report.
The report, released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a specialised branch of WHO, also predicted that annual deaths from breast cancer would rise by 68 percent if current trends continue.
The findings, published in Nature Medicine on Monday, warned that the world could see 3.2 million new breast cancer cases and 1.1 million deaths each year by mid-century.
“Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide and one woman dies from the disease, and these statistics are worsening,” said Dr. Joanne Kim, an IARC scientist and co-author of the report.
Dr. Kim emphasised that countries could slow down or reverse these trends by adopting prevention policies and investing in early detection and treatment.
“Countries can mitigate or reverse these trends by adopting primary prevention policies, such as WHO’s recommended ‘best buys’ for non-communicable disease prevention, and by investing in early detection and treatment,” she added.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women globally and the second most common cancer overall. In 2022 alone, there were an estimated 2.3 million new cases and 670,000 deaths reported.
The report also highlighted disparities across regions. The highest breast cancer incidence rates were recorded in Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Northern Europe. Meanwhile, the lowest rates were seen in South-Central Asia and parts of Africa.
However, the highest death rates were reported in Melanesia, Polynesia, and Western Africa, where limited access to healthcare affects survival rates.
The report further stressed the link between breast cancer survival and economic development, showing how access to medical care plays a critical role in saving lives.
Health experts are now urging governments, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to strengthen their healthcare systems to better manage and prevent breast cancer.
