Amman, July 9 (Petra) – Global cancer cases could surge to nearly 35
million annually by 2050 without urgent intervention, the World
Health Organization (WHO) warned on Thursday in its 2026 Global
Cancer Report.

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death worldwide after
cardiovascular disease, killing over 26,000 people daily. The disease
accounts for roughly 20.6 million new cases and nearly 10 million
deaths each year.

The report showcases a stark global survival gap. In high-income
countries, 87% of breast cancer patients survive five years past
diagnosis, compared to just 42% in low-income nations. Less than a
third of countries globally include cancer care in their universal
health coverage.

“Cancer is a deeply personal disease that touches nearly all of us.
But whether a person survives cancer should never depend on where
they were born or what they earn,” said WHO Director-General Tedros
Adhanom Ghebreyesus, adding that these disparities can be bridged
through coordinated global action.

The WHO noted that about 40% of cancer cases stem from preventable
risk factors, including tobacco, alcohol, obesity, physical
inactivity, and certain infections. While progress has been made in
tobacco control and vaccination programs, essential cancer
medications are out of reach in many lower-income regions.

//Petra// HA