Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, affecting individuals and communities across all regions and socioeconomic groups. The global burden of cancer continues to grow, increasing pressure on health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study and recent analyses published in The Lancet highlight alarming trends in cancer incidence, mortality, and risk factors, underscoring the urgent need for effective prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies.
In 2023, approximately 18.5 million people were diagnosed with cancer, and 10.4 million died, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers. The global disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) due to cancer totaled 271 million, with 97% from years of life lost (YLLs) and 3% from years lived with disability (YLDs). Males accounted for 9.56 million new cases and 5.77 million deaths, while females accounted for 8.99 million cases and 4.61 million deaths. The male-to-female ratio for cancer cases was 1.07 and for cancer deaths 1.25, reflecting sex-based differences in cancer burden.
The cancers contributing the greatest global burden in terms of incidence were:
In terms of mortality, the leading causes were:
Age-standardized cancer incidence was highest in high-income countries (303 per 100,000) and lowest in lower-middle-income countries (126 per 100,000). Similarly, mortality was highest in high-income countries (124 per 100,000) and lowest in lower-middle-income countries (94 per 100,000). Low- and middle-income countries accounted for 58% of new cases and 66% of deaths, highlighting the disproportionate burden in regions with weaker healthcare systems.
Globally, cancer incidence increases with age, peaking in individuals aged 95 and older, while mortality rates continually rise with age. Childhood cancers (0–14 years) represented 1.4% of cases and 1% of deaths, with acute lymphoid leukemia and brain/CNS cancers being most common. Adolescents and young adults (15–39 years) accounted for 7.7% of cases, 4.6% of deaths, and 10.6% of DALYs, with breast and cervical cancers disproportionately affecting females. Adults aged 40–64 contributed 38% of cases, 33% of deaths, and 45% of DALYs, while adults aged 65+ accounted for 53% of cases, 62% of deaths, and 41% of DALYs.
From 1990 to 2023, new cancer cases increased by 105% and deaths by 74%, while age-standardized mortality rates decreased by 23.9% and age-standardized incidence rates changed by −7.1%. Upper-middle- and high-income countries experienced the largest declines in mortality (33.5% and 27.3%, respectively), while lower-middle-income countries saw a 16.6% increase, and low-income countries showed a suggestive increase of 14.2%. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death globally, after cardiovascular disease.
Approximately 42% of cancer deaths in 2023 were attributable to modifiable risk factors. Tobacco was the leading contributor, responsible for 21% of global cancer deaths, followed by dietary risks and high fasting plasma glucose. Other significant behavioral risks included alcohol use, unsafe sexual practices, obesity, and physical inactivity. Risk-attributable deaths varied by region: unsafe sexual practices were a major contributor in low-income countries (12.5% of deaths), while tobacco and alcohol dominated in high-income countries. Men experienced higher attributable risk (46%) than women (36%).
Projections indicate a dramatic rise in cancer burden by 2050. Global new cancer cases are expected to increase by 60.7%, from 19 million in 2024 to 30.5 million, and cancer deaths by 74.5%, from 10.6 million to 18.6 million. DALYs are forecasted to increase by 46.2%, from 276 million to 404 million. These increases are primarily driven by population growth and aging, rather than changes in age-specific rates, which are projected to decline slightly.
By 2050, mortality increases will be most pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, potentially rising by 91%, compared to 43% in high-income countries. The probability of premature death (ages 30–70) from cancer is forecasted to decline by only 6.5%, indicating that current trends fall short of UN SDG 3.4 targets to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one-third by 2030.
Experts emphasize the urgent need for robust cancer control policies to address rising global disparities. Key priorities include:
Without decisive action, the rising cancer burden could overwhelm global health systems and become a major public health crisis by 2050, particularly in resource-limited settings.
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