Breast Cancer Cases May Surge By Nearly 40% Worldwide By 2050! WHO Warns

A new study warns that breast cancer cases worldwide could increase by nearly 40 per cent by 2050. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) analyzed data from over 50 countries and found that the number of cases is rising fast. The findings, published in Nature Medicine, show an urgent need for action.

Why Is Breast Cancer On The Rise?Currently, 1 in 20 women worldwide will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. In 2022, there were around 2.3 million new cases and 670,000 deaths. If trends continue, by 2050, there could be 3.2 million new cases and 1.1 million deaths each year.

The study found that countries with lower Human Development Index (HDI) scores are likely to suffer the most. Dr Joanne Kim, one of the researchers, explained, “Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and one woman dies. The situation is getting worse.”

Survival Rates Vary by Country

Survival chances depend a lot on where a person lives. In high-HDI countries, 17 out of every 100 women diagnosed with breast cancer do not survive. In low-HDI countries, more than half (56 out of 100) do not make it. The main reason for this difference is the lack of early detection, timely diagnosis, and quality treatment in low-HDI nations.

Why Are Cases Increasing?

The study found that breast cancer cases have been rising by 1–5 per cent each year in many high-HDI countries over the past decade. Experts say lifestyle changes, including unhealthy diets, obesity, less physical activity, and delayed pregnancies, are some of the factors behind the increase. While early detection and better treatments have helped in some regions, the overall number of cases keeps going up.

What Needs to Be Done?

Experts believe urgent action is needed to prevent more cases and deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends promoting healthier lifestyles, increasing awareness, and improving access to early detection and treatment. The WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative aims to reduce deaths by ensuring better healthcare services for all women.

Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram from IARC stressed the need for better cancer records: “Accurate data is key to fighting breast cancer, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Without proper tracking, it’s hard to plan effective solutions.”

What Can We Do?

As breast cancer cases continue to rise, global efforts are needed to close the gap in healthcare access. Governments, health organizations, and people must work together to ensure all women, no matter where they live, have access to early detection and life-saving treatment. With the right steps, millions of lives could be saved in the coming decades.

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