Cancer Rates Expected to Reach 22 Million by 2030

Sample analysis tubes; picture courtesy of Reuters

In honor of World Cancer Day, the WHO has released stunning news: Global cancer rates are expected to reach in excess of 21 million persons per year by 2030. This is an increase of 53% from the last statistics released in 2012. The statistic came from the WHO’s annual cancer report, put together by over 250 scientists in 40 countries.

According to the report, the majority of cancer cases stem from Western countries, clocking in at 57% of all new cancer diagnoses and 65% of all cancer related deaths. Overall 14 million people were diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and 8.2 million died of cancer or cancer-related causes. The highest rates were found in lung, liver, stomach breast and colorectal cancers, which accounted for 35% of all cancer diagnoses together. Particularly lung cancer contributed to the statistic with a death toll of 1.59 million people, which is more than double the other leading death causes.

Experts say that more emphasis should be on prevention, with as many as 30% of the deaths being preventable. Increased body mass, consumption of liquor and tobacco, lack of physical exercise, and lowered intake of fruit and vegetables may contribute to the high rate. Particularly tobacco consumption contributed significantly to the death rates, causing 20% of deaths of cancer globally and 70% of all lung cancer related deaths. However, in the US the risk of death has decreased by 20%, presumably due to a concentrated effort to reduce obesity and smoking. As a result, the WHO is calling for the development of National Cancer Prevention Plans. “People can cut their risk of cancer by making healthy lifestyle choices, but it’s important to remember that the government and society are also responsible for creating an environment that supports healthy lifestyles,” states Dr. Jean King, director of Cancer Research UK.

© Danny Doyne; article sourced from CBS News