WHO Warns of 68% Increase in Breast Cancer Deaths by 2050

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that breast cancer-related deaths worldwide are expected to rise by 68% by 2050. According to a new report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and WHO’s special branch in Geneva, global breast cancer cases are anticipated to increase by 38% by 2050, leading to a sharp rise in mortality rates.

Published results in *Nature Medicine* highlighted that if current trends continue, there will be 3.2 million new breast cancer cases globally and 1.1 million deaths annually by mid-century. The report also emphasized that low- and middle-income countries will disproportionately bear this burden due to limited access to diagnosis, treatment, and care.

Dr. Joan Kim, a scientist at IARC and co-author of the report, stated that 1 in 4 women diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide dies from the disease, and these statistics are expected to increase. She explained that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women globally and the second most common cancer overall.

The report revealed that, in 2022, 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed among women globally, resulting in 670,000 deaths. The highest rates of breast cancer were recorded in Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Northern Europe, while the lowest rates were found in parts of South-Central Asia and Africa. In contrast, the highest mortality rates were reported in West Africa, where healthcare access is limited.

The connection between breast cancer survival and economic development is clear, with 83% of women diagnosed in developed countries surviving, compared to more than half of women in developing countries who succumb to the disease.

In response, WHO launched the Global Breast Cancer Initiative in 2021, aiming to reduce the death rate from breast cancer by 2.5% annually, potentially preventing 2.5 million deaths by 2040. This initiative focuses on early detection, timely diagnosis, and access to quality treatment.

Dr. Isabel Surjomathram, Deputy Head of IARC’s Cancer Surveillance Branch, emphasized the need for high-quality cancer data to implement better policies in low-income areas. She stated that continuous progress in early detection and better access to treatment are essential to bridge the global gap in breast cancer outcomes and ensure all countries can achieve the goal of reducing suffering and mortality from the disease.

The report stresses the importance of strong health systems, increasing funding for breast cancer screening and treatment, and adopting cost-effective prevention policies. Given the expected increase in cases and deaths, the international community faces an urgent challenge that requires coordinated action to prevent millions of lives from being lost to a disease that is increasingly treatable.