On December 1, 2008, we reported that deaths due to cancer were on the decline in the U.S. However, last week, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization (WHO), released an updated report stating that cancer is expected to become the leading cause of death worldwide in 2010 .

Cancer rates doubled around the world between 1975 and 2000, and they will double again by the year 2020. This year, there were an estimated 12 million new cancer diagnoses and more than 7 million cancer deaths globally. According to the report, low- and middle-income countries will feel the effect of higher cancer death rates more sharply than industrialized countries. Reasons for these increases include adoption of 'Western' habits such as tobacco smoking and higher-fat diets.

Although these cancer projections represent a challenge for health systems worldwide, preventive measures such as tobacco control, vaccinations, awareness campaigns, and cancer screening could have a significant impact on reducing the burden of cancer.

Source

EurekAlert! December 11, 2008.