World Cancer Statistics 2020: Lung Cancer Still Deadliest

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in all countries of the world and in 2020, lung cancer remained the leading cause of cancer death, with approximately 1.8 million deaths (18% of all cancer deaths), according to the report “Global Cancer Statistics 2020”[1] of the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

The study examines the global cancer burden in 2020 based on GLOBOCAN estimates of cancer incidence and mortality from the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 185 countries worldwide. In 2020, female breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases (11.7%), followed by lung (11.4%), colorectal (10%), prostate (7.3%) and stomach (5.6%) cancers. Over the past two decades, the total number of people diagnosed with cancer has nearly doubled, from an estimated 10 million in 2000 to 19.3 million in 2020. Today, one in five people worldwide will develop cancer in their lifetime.

The data in this report do not reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as they are based on cancer data collected in previous years, and the extent of the pandemic’s impact in different regions of the world is currently unknown. According to the report, delays in diagnosis and treatment, including suspension of screening programs and reduced availability and access to care are expected to lead to a short-term decline in cancer incidence, followed by an increase in late-stage diagnoses and cancer mortality.

Lung cancer remains the deadliest type of cancer

Data show that lung cancer remained the leading cause of cancer death in 2020 with approximately 1.8 million deaths (18%), followed by colorectal cancer (9.4%), liver cancer (8.3%), stomach cancer (7.7%) and female breast cancer (6.9%). Reducing this mortality is possible because lung cancer is largely preventable: in almost 9 out of 10 cases this goal can be achieved by quitting smoking and not smoking through effective tobacco control policies and regulations.

Smokers are up to 22 times more likely to develop lung cancer during their lifetime than non-smokers[2]. However, people who do not use tobacco but are exposed to secondhand smoke at home, work, or in other public places are also at increased risk of developing lung diseases, including chronic respiratory diseases and lung cancer. The benefits of quitting smoking are almost immediate. After just 20 minutes, heart rate decreases. Within 2 to 12 weeks, circulation improves and lung function increases. Within 1 to 9 months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease. After 10 years of quitting, the risk of lung cancer drops to about half that of a smoker.[3].

The burden of cancer for all countries of the world

According to the report, an estimated 28.4 million new cases of cancer are expected to occur in 2040, an increase of 47% compared to 2020 worldwide.

All countries are affected. However, low- and middle-income countries are experiencing a larger relative increase in cancer incidence (64% to 95%) compared with developed countries (32% to 56%) due to demographic changes. For lung cancer cases, mortality rates are 3 to 4 times higher in developed countries than in developing countries, but this trend may well change with the evolution of the tobacco epidemic and demographics since 80% of smokers aged 15 years and older reside in low- and middle-income countries. In countries where the epidemic is at a comparatively earlier stage, particularly among women, smoking has peaked recently or is continuing to increase. Therefore, lung cancer rates are likely to increase for at least the next few decades unless sustained actions accelerate smoking cessation and reduce initiation.

The authors warn of the consequences induced by the growth in cancer cases that could overwhelm health care systems if left unchecked. The global fight against cancer involves preventing it through proven and effective measures and appropriate care and treatment in all countries, particularly in transition for patients.

Keywords: Cancer, mortality, smoking, lung cancer©Tobacco Free Generation

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[1] Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, Bray F. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021 Feb 4. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660.[2] World Cancer Day: know the facts – tobacco and alcohol both cause cancer, WHO Regional Office for EUROPE, 4 February 2021[3] Tobacco: Health benefits of smoking cessation, World Health Organization, February 25, 2020National Committee Against Smoking |