Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, after cardiovascular disease, and claims more than 26,000 lives daily, according to a report from the WHO Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, developed jointly with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The report was issued in July 2026 and provides comprehensive analysis of progress across key areas such as political commitment, cancer prevention, and investment in treatment.
The report reveals persistent and widening inequities in access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care, leaving millions of people without the services they need. An analysis shows that whereas 87% of women with breast cancer survive for 5 years after their diagnosis in high-income countries, 42% do so in low-income countries. Fewer than one in three countries currently include cancer care in their universal health coverage packages.
“Cancer is a deeply personal disease that touches nearly all of us. But whether a person survives cancer should never depend on where they were born or what they earn,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, MSc, PhD. “The inequities documented in this report are not inevitable; they are the consequence of choices, and they can be reversed through stronger and unified action.”
Cancer is one of the most financially and socially difficult challenges a household can face. The report indicated that at least 45% of individuals with cancer and their families experience financial hardship; more than half report mental health challenges; and nearly all caregivers report strain, including unpaid services and social isolation.
Cancer Rates in Different Global Regions
The burden of cancer varies markedly across regions. In 2024, Asia accounted for the largest share, with more than half of all cancer cases (50.7%) and deaths (56.5%), reflecting its large population. Europe carried a disproportionately high burden, contributing 21% of global cases and 20% of deaths despite having only about 9% of the world's population. In contrast, many countries in Africa and parts of Asia experience lower incidence but disproportionately high mortality.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death globally. Lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers are among the most common cancers in men, whereas breast, lung, and colorectal cancers account for a substantial share of the cancer burden among women.
Nearly 4 in 10 cancer cases globally are linked to preventable risk factors, particularly infections such as human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and C, and Helicobacter pylori; alcohol and tobacco use; and high body mass index and insufficient physical activity, highlighting the critical role of prevention.
“While we are seeing reductions in some cancer rates in countries that have implemented prevention policies, progress has been too slow,” said Elisabete Weiderpass, MD, PhD, Director of the IARC. “The cancer profile is evolving, increasingly driven by rising rates of obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and air pollution. Cancer prevention must remain a political priority.”
Major Gains, Yet Gaps Persist
The report notes substantial gains in key policy areas. Tobacco use has declined by 27% since 2010, contributing to reductions in lung cancer cases and deaths in some regions. Infection-related cancers are also decreasing due to expanding vaccination coverage and improved water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as infection prevention and control.
Political commitment has strengthened, with 82% of countries now having national cancer control plans, up from 50% in 2010. In high-income countries, early detection programs identify most cases of breast cancers, and 74% of women have been screened for cervical cancer. Scientific innovation is accelerating; registered clinical trials have increased at an annual rate of 7.3% between 2005 and 2021.
Despite these gains, essential cancer therapeutics remain far out of reach for many: the availability of 20 priority cancer therapeutics ranges from 9% to 54% in low- and lower-middle-income countries, compared with 68% to 94% in high-income countries.
“Cancer is not just a medical diagnosis—it profoundly, indefinitely affects every aspect of a person’s life, and their family's as well,” said Clarissa Schilstra, a survivor of childhood cancer and a lead of WHO's survey. “We urge policymakers to meaningfully engage with people affected by cancer. By voicing our lived experiences, we can inform more equitable, effective solutions to protect and promote the lives and well being of future generations.”
Moving Towards a People-Centered Cancer Control Agenda
The report marks an important opportunity to place people affected by cancer at the center of cancer control efforts. It calls on governments, international organizations, civil society, academic institutions, the private sector, and the WHO to work together to deliver a people-centered and holistic approach to care for individuals and families affected by cancer.
To support this vision, the report outlines seven key recommendations and three strategic shifts to be implemented across all countries and communities:
- Better capabilities: Integrate cancer control into universal health coverage and invest in human capital to prevent and control cancer
- Better protections: Place people with lived experience at the center of cancer systems while strengthening social protection
- Better value: Align research and innovation with public health needs and ensure equitable access to valued-based advances in care.
The report adds that by 2050, the number of new cancer cases is projected to reach 35 million annually., and that choices made and actions taken today will shape the cancer burden borne by future generations. By adopting a people-centered approach, making strategic and sustained investments, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to equity, countries can reduce the cancer burden and improve outcomes.
The latest global cancer estimates were produced by the IARC and are available through IARC's Global Cancer Observatory (GCO).
