Cancer deaths worldwide are set to soar up to 75 per cent over the next two decades, leading experts have warned. 

A growing and aging population, coupled with unhealthy habits, is believed to be driving the issue, according to researchers responsible for a concerning new international report.

US scientists found that worldwide, the number of new cancer cases has more than doubled since 1990 to 18.5 million in 2023.

The number of cancer deaths, meanwhile, rose 74 per cent to 10.4 million. 

But cases are predicted to soar even further to 30.5million by 2050—an increase of 61 per cent.

The annual global cancer death toll is forecast to rise almost 75 per cent to a staggering 18.6million. 

Concerned scientists today urged governments to get a grip on the global cancer burden by tackling risk factors such as obesity and smoking.

They also urged policymakers to expand screening programmes that help catch cancer early, and boost survival odds.

Michelle Mitchell, the head of Cancer Research UK, stated: ‘The global increase in cancer cases and fatalities is mirrored in the UK, where almost 1,100 new cases are identified daily.

‘To save more lives from cancer, we need a greater international focus on prevention, including HPV vaccination and tobacco control.

‘Smoking remains the leading cause of cancer and death in the UK, which is why passing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill must be a top priority.

‘The forthcoming National Cancer Plan for England by the UK Government is a crucial chance to equip the NHS with the necessary funding, workforce, and resources to guarantee that cancer patients receive early diagnoses and timely treatment, regardless of their location.’

Dr. Lisa Force, an assistant professor specializing in health metric sciences at the University of Washington and a co-author of the study, commented: ‘Despite the pressing need for action, cancer control strategies and their implementation remain undervalued in global health, and many regions lack adequate funding to tackle this issue effectively.’

‘Achieving equal cancer outcomes worldwide will necessitate intensified efforts to minimize health service delivery disparities, including access to reliable and prompt diagnostics, as well as high-quality treatment and supportive care.’

The research, featured in the esteemed journal The Lancet, examined cancer incidences and mortality rates for 47 cancer types across 204 countries from 1990 to 2023.

After accounting for age which could skew the results, they found Lebanon saw the greatest increase in both cancer cases and deaths in the 33-year period, at 80 per cent. 

Equatorial Guinea and Laos followed, logging cancer mortality rises of 72 and 55.8 per cent respectively. 

By contrast, the United Arab Emirates saw the greatest decrease in cases, dropping 56 per cent. 

Kazakhstan logged the greatest drop in deaths, falling 58.2 per cent. 

The UK reported a 23.4 per cent fall in deaths, while the US and Australia recorded drops of 32.5 and 33.2 per cent respectively. 

The researchers also found that breast cancer was the most diagnosed cancer worldwide in 2023, for both sexes combined. 

Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer deaths.

However, the researchers also suggested that 42 per cent of cancer deaths globally were linked to lifestyle factors, including smoking, unhealthy diets, high blood sugar and exposure to toxins.

Tobacco use contributed to more than a fifth (21 per cent) of cancer deaths globally. 

Among low-income countries, the leading risk factor was unsafe sex, accounting for 12.5 per cent of all cancer deaths.  

More than 400,000 people in the UK—or 1,000 a day—are diagnosed with cancer each year, with prostate, breast, bowel and lung the most common types.

Cancer care effectively ground to a halt for some patients in 2020 when the pandemic first reached the UK’s shores, with appointments cancelled and diagnostic scans delayed because of the Government’s devotion to protecting the NHS.

Experts have estimated 40,000 cancers went undiagnosed during the first year of pandemic alone.

Now, however, NHS cancer services are still repeatedly failing to achieve their targets.

Figures released earlier this month showed NHS England met one of its three cancer diagnosis targets.

Of the 308,636 urgent cancer referrals made by GPs in July, 76.6 per cent were diagnosed or had the disease ruled out within 28 days. The target is 75 per cent.

But nationally, just 92.4 per cent of patients started treatment within 31 days of being booked in July, below the goal of 96 per cent. 

And just 69.2 per cent of newly-diagnosed cancer patients referred for urgent treatment were seen within two months—below the 85 per cent target.