92% of Earth's population will face cancer directly or through close ones - WHO report
A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that, despite important scientific advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, millions of people still lack access to quality medical care.
As 1news.az reports, according to the report, one in five people will be diagnosed with cancer, and 92% of the population will face the disease either directly or through family members.
Head of the WHO Cancer Control Unit Dr. Andre Ilbawi noted that although major scientific advances have been made in the treatment of cancer in recent years, this progress is not equally accessible to all countries.
The WHO Global Report on Cancer Control 2026 highlights the existence of a “persistent and deepening inequality” in access to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care services.
According to available data, about 20.6 million new cases of cancer are registered annually worldwide, and 10 million people die from the disease. According to forecasts, the number of new cases could reach 35 million by 2050.
The report shows that in high-income countries, 85% of patients diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer live at least five years. In low-income countries, this figure is less than 30%.
Drugs included in the WHO list of essential medicines for cancer treatment are available in low- and lower-middle-income countries only at 9–54%. In high-income countries, this figure ranges from 68–94%. In addition, radiotherapy services are absent in 23 countries worldwide.
The document notes that approximately two-thirds of countries have not included cancer care in universal health insurance packages. Due to the high cost of treatment, up to 90% of patients in some regions are forced to interrupt therapy.
A global WHO survey showed that cancer creates not only medical but also serious economic and psychological problems. Patients and their families face financial difficulties, psychological stress and the burden of long-term care.
Breast cancer patient and human rights activist from Nigeria Abigail Simon-Hart said that some families are forced to take children out of school to pay for treatment. She also stressed that some women refuse life-saving mastectomy surgery due to fear of social stigma.
At the same time, the report also notes positive trends. It is reported that effective strategies have already been formed to eliminate cervical cancer, tobacco use is declining, and national cancer programs are being developed in many countries.
It was stated that 4 out of 10 cancer cases are linked to preventable risk factors such as tobacco use, infections, alcohol consumption and excess weight.
WHO called on governments to pay more attention in the fight against cancer not only to treatment, but also to funding prevention, early diagnosis and long-term patient care services.
