A new global cancer report1 compiled by the United Nations’ International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) shows, as a single entity cancer is the biggest cause of mortality worldwide, and there were an estimated 8.2 million deaths from cancer in 2012. The report also noted that global cancer incidence over 4 years increased by 11% to an estimated 14.1 million cases in 2012, and cancer cases worldwide are forecast to rise by 75% and reach close to 25 million over the next 2 decades.
“The rise of cancer worldwide is a major obstacle to human development and well-being,” said Christopher Wild, PhD, Director of IARC and co-editor of the World Cancer Report 2014. “These new figures and projections send a strong signal that immediate action is needed to confront this human disaster, which touches every community worldwide, without exception,” Dr. Wild added.
The World Cancer Report 2014 was released earlier this month to coincide with World Cancer Day. World Cancer Day is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and takes place each year on February 4. Cary Adams, Chief Executive Officer, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), said “The new figures from IARC show that the incidence of cancer globally will continue to grow unless we recognize the threat and act on it now. On World Cancer Day, we demand that Governments around the world move to stop the millions of predicted, needless, and premature deaths caused by cancer by developing and implementing a national plan which includes proven preventive and early detection measures.”
Practical solutions to reduce premature deaths include developing and implementing national cancer control plans, awareness programs against modifiable risks factors, cancer screening programs, and HPV vaccination programs.
For more information on the World Cancer Report 2014, visit www.iarc.fr/
Reference
1. Stewart BW, Wild C (Eds): World Cancer Report 2014. WHO Press, 2014.
