Cancer rates by country
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Summary
10 papers analyzed
These studies suggest that high-income countries have the highest cancer incidence rates, but mortality rates are declining in many of these countries while increasing in low- and middle-income countries.
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Global Cancer Rates by Country
Global Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates
In 2020, the global cancer burden was substantial, with an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and nearly 10 million cancer deaths worldwide . Female breast cancer emerged as the most commonly diagnosed cancer, accounting for 2.3 million new cases, surpassing lung cancer, which had 2.2 million new cases . Lung cancer, however, remained the leading cause of cancer death, responsible for 1.8 million deaths, followed by colorectal, liver, stomach, and female breast cancers .
Cancer Rates in High-Income vs. Low- and Middle-Income Countries
High-income countries (HICs) generally have higher cancer incidence rates compared to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) . This is attributed to better cancer detection and reporting systems in HICs. However, mortality rates from cancers such as lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate are declining in many HICs due to effective screening, early detection, and improved treatments. Conversely, LMICs are experiencing increasing cancer incidence and mortality rates, particularly for cancers associated with infectious agents like cervical, liver, and stomach cancers . The rising cancer rates in LMICs are often linked to the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles, including smoking, physical inactivity, and consumption of calorie-dense foods.
Regional Cancer Statistics
Europe
Europe, which comprises 9% of the world's population, bears 25% of the global cancer burden. In 2018, Europe saw an estimated 3.91 million new cancer cases and 1.93 million cancer deaths. The most common cancers in Europe were female breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers, which together accounted for half of the cancer burden. Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in Europe, followed by colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancers.
United States
In the United States, cancer incidence and mortality rates have shown a declining trend over the past few decades. In 2023, an estimated 1.96 million new cancer cases and 609,820 cancer deaths are projected. The overall cancer death rate in the U.S. has decreased by 33% since 1991, translating to approximately 3.8 million fewer cancer deaths. This decline is largely due to advances in cancer treatment, early detection, and prevention measures.
Global Trends and Future Projections
The global cancer burden is expected to rise significantly, with projections indicating 28.4 million new cancer cases by 2040, a 47% increase from 2020. This increase will be more pronounced in transitioning countries, where the rise could be between 64% to 95%, compared to a 32% to 56% increase in transitioned countries. The growing cancer burden in transitioning countries is driven by demographic changes and increasing risk factors associated with globalization and economic growth.
Conclusion
Cancer remains a major global health challenge, with significant variations in incidence and mortality rates across different regions and income levels. High-income countries have seen improvements in cancer outcomes due to better healthcare infrastructure, while low- and middle-income countries face rising cancer rates due to lifestyle changes and limited healthcare resources. Addressing the global cancer burden requires concerted efforts to improve cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment, particularly in transitioning countries.
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