New findings in a report led by the American Cancer Society (ACS) reveal an urgent picture of a growing global cancer burden and underscore the lifesaving potential of stronger prevention and equitable access to care. According to Global Cancer Statistics, 2026, nearly 21 million people were diagnosed with cancer and 9.8 million died from the disease globally in 2024. The estimates show about 1 in 5 people worldwide will develop cancer during their lifetime; 1 in 9 men and 1 in 13 women will die from the disease.
The number of cancer cases is projected to reach 34 million by 2050, a 67% increase from 2024, solely based on population aging and growth. This report was authored by researchers at ACS and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO). The study was published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
"Cancer is one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century and a major barrier to increasing life expectancy worldwide. Understanding the magnitude and geographic distributions of the disease is essential to guide effective and equitable prevention and control efforts," said Dr. Hyuna Sung, senior principal scientist of cancer surveillance at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the report.
