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Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries.

Literature Information

DOI10.3322/caac.21660
PMID33538338
JournalCA: a cancer journal for clinicians
Impact Factor232.4
JCR QuartileQ1
Publication Year2021
Times Cited52635
Keywordsburden, cancer, epidemiology, incidence, mortality
Literature TypeJournal Article
ISSN0007-9235
Pages209-249
Issue71(3)
AuthorsHyuna Sung, Jacques Ferlay, Rebecca L Siegel, Mathieu Laversanne, Isabelle Soerjomataram, Ahmedin Jemal, Freddie Bray

TL;DR

This article updates the global cancer burden using GLOBOCAN 2020 data, revealing approximately 19.3 million new cases and nearly 10 million deaths, with female breast cancer now the most diagnosed, while lung cancer remains the leading cause of death. The findings underscore the growing cancer incidence, particularly in transitioning countries, and highlight the urgent need for sustainable cancer prevention and care infrastructure to address this rising global health challenge.

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burden · cancer · epidemiology · incidence · mortality

Abstract

This article provides an update on the global cancer burden using the GLOBOCAN 2020 estimates of cancer incidence and mortality produced by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Worldwide, an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases (18.1 million excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) and almost 10.0 million cancer deaths (9.9 million excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) occurred in 2020. Female breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases (11.7%), followed by lung (11.4%), colorectal (10.0 %), prostate (7.3%), and stomach (5.6%) cancers. Lung cancer remained the leading cause of cancer death, with an estimated 1.8 million deaths (18%), followed by colorectal (9.4%), liver (8.3%), stomach (7.7%), and female breast (6.9%) cancers. Overall incidence was from 2-fold to 3-fold higher in transitioned versus transitioning countries for both sexes, whereas mortality varied <2-fold for men and little for women. Death rates for female breast and cervical cancers, however, were considerably higher in transitioning versus transitioned countries (15.0 vs 12.8 per 100,000 and 12.4 vs 5.2 per 100,000, respectively). The global cancer burden is expected to be 28.4 million cases in 2040, a 47% rise from 2020, with a larger increase in transitioning (64% to 95%) versus transitioned (32% to 56%) countries due to demographic changes, although this may be further exacerbated by increasing risk factors associated with globalization and a growing economy. Efforts to build a sustainable infrastructure for the dissemination of cancer prevention measures and provision of cancer care in transitioning countries is critical for global cancer control.

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Primary Questions Addressed

  1. What are the specific risk factors contributing to the rising cancer incidence in transitioning countries compared to transitioned countries?
  2. How do healthcare infrastructure and access to cancer treatment differ between transitioned and transitioning countries, and what impact does this have on mortality rates?
  3. What role does globalization play in the changing landscape of cancer risk factors and incidence rates in various regions?
  4. How can public health initiatives be tailored to address the unique challenges of cancer prevention and care in transitioning countries?
  5. What are the implications of the projected 47% increase in global cancer cases by 2040 for healthcare policy and resource allocation in both transitioning and transitioned countries?

Key Findings

Research Background and Objectives

The article presents an update on the global cancer burden using the GLOBOCAN 2020 estimates, focusing on cancer incidence and mortality rates worldwide. The objective is to highlight trends in cancer prevalence and death rates, with an emphasis on the differences between transitioned and transitioning countries.

Main Methods/Materials/Experimental Design

The analysis utilizes data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to estimate cancer incidence and mortality for 2020. The study categorizes countries into transitioned and transitioning based on their economic development and health infrastructure. The methodology involves:

  1. Data Collection: Gathering cancer incidence and mortality data from national cancer registries and health organizations.
  2. Statistical Analysis: Estimating the number of new cancer cases and deaths using population-based statistics and demographic projections.

The following flowchart summarizes the methodology:

Mermaid diagram

Key Results and Findings

  • Incidence: Approximately 19.3 million new cancer cases were reported globally in 2020, with female breast cancer being the most common (2.3 million cases, 11.7%).
  • Mortality: Nearly 10 million cancer deaths occurred, with lung cancer being the leading cause (1.8 million deaths, 18%).
  • Geographic Disparities:
    • Incidence rates were 2-3 times higher in transitioned countries compared to transitioning countries.
    • Mortality rates for female breast and cervical cancers were significantly higher in transitioning countries (15.0 vs 12.8 per 100,000 for breast cancer; 12.4 vs 5.2 per 100,000 for cervical cancer).
  • Future Projections: The global cancer burden is expected to rise to 28.4 million cases by 2040, a 47% increase from 2020, particularly in transitioning countries (64%-95% increase).

Main Conclusions/Significance/Innovation

The findings underscore the growing global cancer burden, particularly in transitioning countries, where demographic changes and increasing risk factors due to globalization contribute to rising incidence and mortality rates. The article emphasizes the need for enhanced cancer prevention measures and healthcare infrastructure in these regions to effectively combat the anticipated rise in cancer cases.

Research Limitations and Future Directions

  • Limitations: The study relies on estimates that may not capture the full complexity of cancer incidence and mortality across different regions. Variability in data quality and availability can affect accuracy.
  • Future Directions:
    • Establishing sustainable healthcare infrastructures in transitioning countries is crucial.
    • There is a need for further research into the specific risk factors contributing to the rising cancer rates and effective prevention strategies tailored to these populations.
AspectDetails
Global Incidence (2020)19.3 million new cases (2.3 million breast cancer)
Global Mortality (2020)10 million deaths (1.8 million lung cancer)
Incidence Increase (2040)Expected to reach 28.4 million cases, a 47% rise
Transitioned vs TransitioningIncidence 2-3 times higher in transitioned countries; mortality rates vary significantly
Future FocusNeed for improved cancer prevention and care infrastructure in transitioning countries

Literatures Citing This Work

  1. Comparison of breast cancer and cervical cancer stage distributions in ten newly independent states of the former Soviet Union: a population-based study. - Anton Ryzhov;Marilys Corbex;Marion Piñeros;Anton Barchuk;Diana Andreasyan;Sayde Djanklich;Vadim Ghervas;Olga Gretsova;Dilyara Kaidarova;Konstantin Kazanjan;Fuad Mardanli;Yuriy Michailovich;Elena Ten;Alesya Yaumenenka;Freddie Bray;Ariana Znaor - The Lancet. Oncology (2021)
  2. Plant Natural Products: Promising Resources for Cancer Chemoprevention. - Li Ma;MengMeng Zhang;Rong Zhao;Dan Wang;YueRong Ma;Ai Li - Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2021)
  3. A Histone Acetylation Modulator Gene Signature for Classification and Prognosis of Breast Cancer. - Mengping Long;Wei Hou;Yiqiang Liu;Taobo Hu - Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) (2021)
  4. Association between hepatitis B virus infection and colorectal liver metastasis: a meta-analysis. - Rongqiang Liu;Weihao Kong;Mingbin Deng;Guozhen Lin;Tianxing Dai;Linsen Ye - Bioengineered (2021)
  5. Overexpressed WDR3 induces the activation of Hippo pathway by interacting with GATA4 in pancreatic cancer. - Wenjie Su;Shikai Zhu;Kai Chen;Hongji Yang;Mingwu Tian;Qiang Fu;Ganggang Shi;Shijian Feng;Dianyun Ren;Xin Jin;Chong Yang - Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR (2021)
  6. Blocking Aerobic Glycolysis by Targeting Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase in Combination with EGFR TKI and Ionizing Radiation Increases Therapeutic Effect in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells. - Sissel E Dyrstad;Maria L Lotsberg;Tuan Zea Tan;Ina K N Pettersen;Silje Hjellbrekke;Deusdedit Tusubira;Agnete S T Engelsen;Thomas Daubon;Arnaud Mourier;Jean Paul Thiery;Olav Dahl;James B Lorens;Karl Johan Tronstad;Gro V Røsland - Cancers (2021)
  7. Doxorubicin Loaded PLGA Nanoparticle with Cationic/Anionic Polyelectrolyte Decoration: Characterization, and Its Therapeutic Potency. - Li-Hui Tsai;Chia-Hsiang Yen;Hao-Ying Hsieh;Tai-Horng Young - Polymers (2021)
  8. Optimized Identification of High-Grade Prostate Cancer by Combining Different PSA Molecular Forms and PSA Density in a Deep Learning Model. - Francesco Gentile;Matteo Ferro;Bartolomeo Della Ventura;Evelina La Civita;Antonietta Liotti;Michele Cennamo;Dario Bruzzese;Raffaele Velotta;Daniela Terracciano - Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) (2021)
  9. Identification and validation of potential mRNA- microRNA- long-noncoding RNA (mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA) prognostic signature for cervical cancer. - Jie Wang;Chen Zhang - Bioengineered (2021)
  10. Epidemiology and genomics of prostate cancer in Asian men. - Yao Zhu;Miao Mo;Yu Wei;Junlong Wu;Jian Pan;Stephen J Freedland;Ying Zheng;Dingwei Ye - Nature reviews. Urology (2021)

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