Why Global Cancer Rates are Rising
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and 10 million deaths in 2020 were attributed to cancer. Low-and-middle-income countries shoulder most of the cancer burden. In 2020, out of nearly 10 million cancer-related deaths worldwide, 70% were in low-and-middle-income countries1. The disparity is even more striking in case of cervical cancer where 90% of new cases and deaths from this preventable cancer occurs in low- and middle-income countries2. Cancer incidence in sub-Saharan Africa, for example, is projected to increase more than 92% in 2020 and 20403. Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) have limited resources to respond to the overwhelming challenges that cancer brings to national health systems. As a result, citizens lack access to cancer-preventing vaccination and screening, are diagnosed late, do not have access to treatment and pain relief, and do not receive adequate support to meet their psycho-social and resource needs.
Although our understanding of cancer is greater than at any other point in history, cancer continues to be a leading cause of death largely because of lack of application of known interventions. A comprehensive response that promotes prevention, early detection, treatment, and pain control is critical to saving lives and alleviating needless suffering and will expedite the control of cancer earlier in this century.
