The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments to invest in stronger cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment programmes.
According to the WHO, the number of new cancer cases worldwide is projected to rise from 20.6 million in 2024 to nearly 35 million by 2050.
Launching the Global Status Report on Cancer 2026 today in Geneva, the WHO said despite major advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, millions of people continue to face unequal access to lifesaving services, with financial hardship and late diagnosis contributing to preventable deaths.
The report, released jointly with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), says cancer remains the world’s second leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases, claiming nearly 10 million lives every year, more than 26,000 deaths each day.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the disparities highlighted in the report are avoidable and can be addressed through stronger political commitment and coordinated global action.
“Cancer is a deeply personal disease that touches nearly all of us. But whether a person survives cancer should never depend on where they were born or what they earn,” he said.
WHO Team Lead for Cancer Control, Dr. Andre Ilbawi, said that for years the story of cancer has been about scientific progress and new hope. While that story is true, it is not the whole story. Too many people are still being left behind.
According to the report, premature cancer mortality continues to rise in 48 countries. Only 28 percent of countries include essential cancer services in their national health benefit packages, and in some settings up to 90 percent of patients discontinue treatment because they cannot afford the cost.
WHO further revealed that when the impact of cancer on patients and caregivers is considered, about 92 percent of people globally will be affected by the disease at least once during their lifetime, either through a personal diagnosis or by caring for a family member.
The report also found that more than half of cancer patients surveyed reported mental health challenges, while 85 percent of family caregivers experienced moderate to severe caregiving strain.
IARC Deputy Head of the Cancer Surveillance Unit, Dr. Isabel Soerjomataram, noted that although the likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer is lower in sub-Saharan Africa than in Europe and North America, patients in Africa face a similar risk of dying from the disease because of delayed diagnosis and limited access to treatment.
She said between 50 and 90 percent of women with breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa are diagnosed at advanced stages, compared to about 30 percent in North America.
The report also shows that four in every ten new cancer cases are linked to preventable risk factors, including tobacco use, infections, alcohol consumption, and excess body weight.
According to the WHO, infection accounts for more than three-quarters of known cancer causes in sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the importance of vaccination, screening, and infection control programmes.
While acknowledging progress in tobacco control, WHO said smoking remains the leading preventable cause of cancer, contributing to nearly one in five cancer cases and deaths globally.
The organization warned that obesity and physical inactivity are emerging as major drivers of future cancer cases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where prevention programmes remain limited.
WHO urged governments to fully implement evidence-based cancer prevention policies, expand universal health coverage to include cancer services, improve early diagnosis, and ensure affordable access to medicines and treatment.
The report also emphasizes the importance of involving cancer survivors and patients in shaping health policies.
Breast cancer survivor and patient advocate Abigail Simon-Hart said many families continue to face stigma, financial ruin, and limited access to quality care, particularly in low-income countries.
Dr. Soerjomataram called on governments to integrate the experiences of cancer patients into national cancer control programmes, saying their insights are essential in identifying gaps in healthcare systems and improving outcomes.
WHO, however, said addressing cancer requires sustained investment in health systems, stronger prevention strategies, and greater social and financial protection to ensure that no patient is left behind.
In Kenya, cancer is the third leading cause of death, accounting for roughly 10 percent of annual mortality, with over 48,000 new cases diagnosed annually, resulting in roughly 28,000 to 32,000 deaths.
The government has been actively mitigating the country’s rising cancer burden through the National Cancer Control Strategy (2023–2027) with key investments targeting infrastructure expansion, financial risk protection for patients, and subsidized pharmaceutical costs.
By Wangari Ndirangu
