According to the report, the number of cancer deaths is expected to reach 9.6 million worldwide in 2018

According to a new report from the World Health Organization, cancer deaths are increasing worldwide, with an estimated total of 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Experts estimate 18.1 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed worldwide this year.

That accounted for 14.1 million new cases and 8.2 million deaths in 2012, the year of the publication of the World Health Organization's latest global survey on cancer.

Researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer used data from 185 countries analyzing 36 different types of cancer. IARC is part of the World Health Organization.

On the basis of the latest data, published on Wednesday 12 September, one in five men and one in six women worldwide will develop cancer during their lifetime. According to the report, one in eight men and one in 11 women will die of the disease.

Prevention efforts have helped to reduce the incidence rates of some types of cancer in developed countries, including lung cancer and cervical cancer. That said, the report notes that most countries are seeing the total number of cases diagnosed and requiring treatment increase, despite the increased emphasis on prevention efforts, such as early detection of cervical cancer. .

"These new figures underscore that much remains to be done to cope with the alarming increase in the global burden of cancer and that prevention has a key role to play," said IARC Director Dr. Christopher Wild, in a statement. "Effective prevention and early warning policies need to be implemented urgently to complement treatments to combat this devastating disease worldwide."

The researchers said that population growth and longer life span are some of the factors contributing to the rise in cancer rates.

As expected, the most populous countries reported higher numbers of cancer cases and cancer deaths. For example, Asia is estimated at 57% of all cancer-related deaths this year. The continent is also home to 60% of the world's population.

According to the report, the Americas represent only 13% of the world's population, but it is expected that 21% of new cancer cases and 14% of cancer deaths will occur.

Lung, breast and colorectal cancer were the three most commonly reported types and the five most deadly. Combined, these three cancers accounted for about one-third of all cancer deaths worldwide this year.

Lung cancer was the most lethal form leading to 1.76 million deaths worldwide this year, followed by colorectal cancer, which resulted in 862,000 deaths. According to the report, about 627,000 people worldwide have died of breast cancer this year.

The researchers also noted a worrying increase in the number of reported cases of lung cancer in women. The highest incidence rates were observed in North America, Northern Europe and the West, China, Australia and New Zealand.

In the release, Dr. Freddie Bray, who heads the cancer surveillance section at IARC, said that best practices have reduced overall active smoking and helped prevent unwanted exposure to tobacco smoke in Many countries.

"Given that the tobacco epidemic is at different stages in different regions and among men and women, the results highlight the need to continue to put in place effective and targeted tobacco control policies in all countries. "said Bray.

Read the full report of the World Health Organization.

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