JNS: The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning, predicting a 38% increase in breast cancer cases and a 68% rise in related deaths by 2050. According to a new report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), if current trends continue, 3.2 million new cases and 1.1 million deaths will occur annually by mid-century.
The surge will disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, where access to early detection and treatment remains limited. “Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and one woman dies,” said Dr. Joanne Kim, co-author of the report. She emphasized that nations could mitigate these trends through better prevention policies and investment in healthcare.
Breast cancer is already the most common cancer among women, with 2.3 million new cases and 670,000 deaths in 2022. The highest incidence rates were observed in high-income regions like Australia and North America, while the highest mortality rates were seen in Melanesia, Polynesia, and Western Africa, where healthcare access is limited.
The WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative, launched in 2021, aims to reduce mortality by 2.5% annually, potentially preventing 2.5 million deaths by 2040. The report stresses the need for stronger healthcare systems, better screening, and cost-effective prevention measures to address global disparities and prevent more deaths.
