The World Health Organization warned on Wednesday that new cancer cases worldwide could climb to nearly 35 million per year by 2050, a figure that would represent close to double the current annual total, United Nations News reported.
The WHO called on countries to act urgently across three areas: strengthening prevention efforts, improving how cancers are caught early, and expanding the capacity to treat patients once diagnosed. The organization framed all three as interconnected priorities rather than separate concerns.
On prevention, the WHO said governments need to move faster to reduce the risk factors that drive new diagnoses. On early detection, the agency said catching cancer sooner remains one of the most effective ways to reduce deaths. On treatment, the WHO said many health systems lack the infrastructure to handle current caseloads, let alone a caseload approaching 35 million cases annually.
United Nations News said the warning was issued to press countries to begin building those capacities now. Without that action, the WHO said, the projected rise toward 35 million new cases each year by mid-century would overwhelm health systems globally.