Breast cancer cases will increase by 38% worldwide by 2050, with deaths surging by 68%, according to a WHO-backed report. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a WHO division, released the findings in Nature Medicine. The report predicts 3.2 million new breast cancer cases annually by mid-century, with 1.1 million deaths each year.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women and the second most prevalent cancer globally. In 2022, doctors diagnosed 2.3 million new cases and recorded 670,000 deaths. Still, regional disparities persist.
Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Northern Europe report the highest breast cancer incidence rates. Meanwhile, South-Central Asia and parts of Africa have the lowest cases. Mortality rates are highest in Melanesia, Polynesia, and Western Africa, where healthcare access remains limited.
DISPARITIES IN SURVIVAL RATES
Women in high-income countries have an 83% survival rate after a breast cancer diagnosis. In low-income nations, more than half of those diagnosed do not survive.
The gap stems from limited healthcare access, poor early detection programs, and expensive treatments.
WHO CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION
The WHO launched the Global Breast Cancer Initiative in 2021 to cut deaths by 2.5% per year. This could prevent 2.5 million deaths by 2040.
The program focuses on:
- Early detection
- Faster diagnosis
- Affordable treatment
STRONGER HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS NEEDED
Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram of IARC stressed the need for better cancer data to guide policies in lower-income nations.
“Timely diagnosis and improved treatment access are crucial to bridging the global gap in breastcancer survival,” she said.
THE PATH TO PREVENTION
To slow the rising cases and deaths, governments must:
- Invest in cancer screening
- Improve healthcare infrastructure
- Support cost-effective prevention strategies
Without coordinated global action, millions of preventable breast cancer deaths will occur by 2050. The world faces a critical challenge that demands immediate solutions.