Publication reveals most common types of cancer
The release of 2022 cancer data gives the latest look into which types of cancer are most prevalent around the world as population growth expects to drive global cases as much as 77% by 2050.
The publication utilized the GLOBOCAN database to study 36 types of cancer in 185 countries in 2022. The following are the overall most common types of cancer for both sexes combined, though within the sexes there are notable differences. For example, breast cancer amongst females is more common than lung cancer, a flip from the general population ranking.
- Lung cancer – 12.4%
- Female breast cancer – 11.6%
- Colorectum – 9.6%
- Prostate – 7.3%
- Stomach – 4.9%
Likelihood of cancer changes based on where you live
The prevalence of cancer, mortality rates, and leading cancer types change country by country. Here is the breakdown by geographic region, according to the study:
- Asia – 49.2% of new cases, 56.1% of deaths
- Africa – 5.9% of new cases, 7.8% of deaths
- Oceania – 1.4% of cases, 0.8% of deaths
- Europe – 22.4% of cases, 20.4% of deaths
- Americas – 21.1% of cases, 14.9% of deaths
A country’s economic and societal development also changes the likelihood someone will be diagnosed with cancer. The higher a country’s Human Development Index (HDI) level, which is measured by human health, longevity, and standards of living, the more likely its residents are to develop cancer, the report states.
Cancer to increase 77% by 2050 globally
The report says that the world’s growing population will be the biggest driver in cancer cases, and countries with high HDIs will see a large increase in actual numbers. But low HDI countries stand to see a remarkable relative increase of new cases, 142%, by 2050.
Lung cancer, already the leading cause of cancer mortality globally, could further increase in occurrence rate among less developed countries. The report attributes this to the “stage of the tobacco epidemic” in any given country and its link to lung cancer rates. For example, the lung cancer rates in the U.K. and the U.S. declined after the prevalence of smoking waned in those countries, but not until 20-25 years later. But in countries undergoing economic transition and seeing a greater uptake of smoking, the lung cancer rates are likely to continue to climb for the next few decades without mitigation.
