Global Cancer Diagnoses Reach 20.6M in 2024, Radiotherapy Scarce in 23 Nations

WHO report: 20.6M cancer diagnoses in 2024 (+7% vs 2020). 23 low- and middle-income countries have no radiotherapy; 47% lack basic diagnostics. Breast cancer 5-year survival in high-income countries 4× that of sub-Saharan Africa (39%).

• Nearly half of the 9.7M cancer deaths in 2024 were among people aged 30–69, signaling a growing burden on younger populations.
• Global tobacco use fell 27% (2010–2025) and HPV vaccination reduced infection-related cancers by 22%, but radiotherapy and diagnostic gaps persist.
• WHO calls for embedding cancer control in universal health coverage and aligning research with low- and middle-income country needs.

Automated summary

RadPigeon summaries are original and for information only. They are not clinical advice.