The latest estimates of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), highlight the growing burden of cancer, the disproportionate impact on underserved populations, and the urgent need to address cancer inequities worldwide. In 2022, there were an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths. The estimated number of people who were alive within 5 years following a cancer diagnosis was 53.5 million.
About 1 in 5 people develop cancer in their lifetime, approximately 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women die from the disease.
The estimates also revealed that 10 types of cancer collectively comprised around two-thirds of new cases and deaths globally in 2022. The data covered 185 countries and 36 cancers. Lung cancer was the most commonly occurring cancer followed by breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostrate cancer and stomach cancer.
Continuous Rise
The cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems. Many health systems in low- and middle-income countries are least prepared to manage this burden, and a large number of cancer patients globally do not have access to timely quality diagnosis and treatment.
According to the World Health Organisation, over 35 million new cancer cases are predicted by 2050, a 77% increase from the estimated 20 million cases in 2022. The rapidly growing global cancer burden reflects both ageing and unhealthy population as well as changes to people’s exposure to risk factors, which are associated with socioeconomic development.
Lifestyle factors such as tobacco, alcohol and obesity are also key factors behind the increasing incidence of cancer, with air pollution still a key driver of environmental risk factors.
Changing Treatment Regime
The terrain of cancer treatment has undergone a change. New medicines and drugs have been developed that specifically targets the growth of the tumour. Some kinds of cancers that were untreatable earlier have now become controllable.
Treatment options a few years ago were limited to surgery and chemotherapy. But with the advancement of science new therapeutic options have been devised besides enhancing life expectancies. Harnessing the immune system to defeat cancer has led to an explosion in medical research in immunotherapy.
Scientists have been working to create cancer vaccines that were specifically tailored to the mutated proteins embedded in the cancer cells. But this is a long drawn process and would need several trials. The fusion of artificial intelligence with technology can aid in the development of vaccines.
However, despite such advancements and much of money being pumped into cancer research, treatment and cure still remains elusive for a larger population worldover. The awareness and preventive measures are also not equally distributed. Unless these inequities are addressed on priority, the world will see the disease exploding beyond control.
(Edited by : C H Unnikrishnan)
First Published: Feb 4, 2024 12:27 PM IST
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