A major new analysis led by the American Cancer Society (ACS) paints a troubling picture of cancer worldwide while also highlighting how much of the burden could potentially be reduced through prevention, earlier diagnosis, and better access to care.
According to Global Cancer Statistics, 2026, nearly 21 million people were diagnosed with cancer worldwide in 2024, while 9.8 million died from the disease. The estimates suggest that roughly 1 in 5 people across the globe will develop cancer at some point in their lives. About 1 in 9 men and 1 in 13 women are expected to die from cancer.
By 2050, annual cancer cases are projected to climb to 34 million. That represents a 67% increase compared with 2024, driven solely by population growth and aging.
A Global Picture of Cancer
The report was produced by researchers from ACS and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO). The study appears in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the flagship journal of ACS, and is also available on cancer.org.
