The most recent estimate of cancer indicates that 8.1 million new cases are diagnosed worldwide each year. The growth rate of cancer is 2.1% per year, a rate that is faster than the growth rate of the world population at 1.7% per year.

There are variations in the frequency of cancer between developed and developing countries. The most common cancers in developed countries are lung, stomach, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer. The most common cancers in developing countries are lung, stomach, breast, cervical, and esophageal cancers.

About 5.2 million deaths occur each year, 55% of which, occur in developing countries.

• Lung cancer accounts for over 900,000 deaths
• Stomach cancer accounts for 600,000 deaths
• Colorectal cancer accounts for 400,000 deaths
• Liver cancer accounts for 400,000 deaths

• Breast cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Lung cancer

• Lung cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Liver cancer

It is estimated that 20% of all cancer deaths (about 1 million) can be prevented by the elimination of tobacco smoking. Infections account for an additional 16% of cancer deaths.

Lung Cancer

• Lung cancer is the most common cancer in incidence and mortality
• Accounts for 58% of new cases in developed countries
• Average 5-year survival is 8% in Europe and 14% in the United States
• Since 1985, the worldwide incidence of lung cancer increased 16%

Stomach Cancer

• Stomach cancer is second most common in incidence and mortality
• 38% of cases occur in China where it is the most common cancer in both sexes
• Survival (53% at 5 years) is moderately good only in Japan where mass screening with photofluoroscopy is used
• Average 5-year survival is 10% in Eastern Europe to 21% in Latin America

Breast Cancer

• Breast cancer is the third most frequent cancer in overall incidence and the fifth cause of cancer death overall
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide
• Incidence rates are high in developed countries and more modest in developing countries
• Average 5-year survival ranges from 49-84%

Colon and Rectal Cancer

• Colon and rectal cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer worldwide
• Incidence and mortality from colon and rectal cancer are similar between males and females
• Incidence is higher in developed countries compared to developing countries

Liver Cancer

• Liver cancer is the fifth most frequent cancer but ranks fourth in mortality
• Liver cancer has very poor prognosis with survival rates of 3%-5%
• 80% of cases and deaths occur in developing countries particularly in Western and Central Africa
• Major risk factors are hepatitis B and C infection and eating foods contaminated with aflatoxin

Prostate Cancer

• Prostate cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world with good age-adjusted prognosis
• Prostate cancer is a cancer of older age with 81% of cases occurring in the elderly worldwide
• Incidence of prostate cancer has risen over last 5 years most likely related to prostate cancer screening

Cervical Cancer

• Cervical cancer is the seventh most common cancer overall and the third most common cancer in women
• 78% of new cases of cervical cancer occur in developing countries with the highest incidence in Latin America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southern and Southeast Asia
• Mortality rates are lower than incidence
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important cause of cervical cancer

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