Breast cancer diagnoses and deaths are expected to increase significantly worldwide over the next few decades, with developing countries expected to bear the greatest burden, according to the latest projections from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO).

In 2022, 2.3 million women globally were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 670,000 died from the disease. With one in 20 women diagnosed in their lifetime, breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women. By 2050, breast cancer deaths are projected to rise by 68%, while new cases will increase by 38%.

“Every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide, and one woman dies from the disease, and these statistics are worsening,” said Dr. Joanne Kim, an IARC scientist and co-author of the study, published in the journal Nature Medicine.

While death rates have declined in Cuba and 29 wealthier nations, only seven countries—Malta, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Slovenia—are meeting global health targets to reduce breast cancer deaths by at least 2.5% annually. Several others, including Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, are nearing this goal. According to the study, if all countries achieved this reduction, global breast cancer deaths could be nearly halved by 2050.

The highest breast cancer incidence rates were reported in Australia, New Zealand, Northern America, and Northern Europe, possibly due to lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption and lower physical activity levels. In Europe, the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer ranges from 4.9% in Ukraine to 11.1% in France. The risk of dying from the disease varies from 1.1% in Norway and Spain to 2.6% in Montenegro.

However, the mortality rate is significantly higher in developing regions like Melanesia, Polynesia, and Western Africa due to limited access to early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. While only 17% of breast cancer patients in wealthier nations die from the disease, the mortality rate rises to 56% in developing countries. Additionally, breast cancer is diagnosed at a younger age in Africa, where 47% of cases occur in women under 50, compared with 18% in North America, 19% in Europe, and 22% in Oceania.

Dr. Kim emphasized the importance of government investment in early detection and treatment programs, stating that such efforts could save millions of lives in the coming decades.

Europe’s progress on health is slowing down, with setbacks in vaccination coverage and persistent chronic diseases posing significant challenges, according to the latest European Health Report from the World Health Organization (WHO). The report, released every three years, examines health trends across Europe and parts of Central Asia.

The 2024 report found that vaccination coverage has declined in several countries, contributing to outbreaks of diseases such as measles and pertussis (whooping cough). In 2023 alone, more than 58,000 measles cases were reported across 41 countries, while pertussis cases surged to 87,000—the highest number in a decade. Only seven countries—Hungary, Kazakhstan, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—achieved the WHO target of over 95% coverage for key vaccines, including those for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and pneumococcal infections.

“Whilst progress was happening, it has stagnated, and of course, we know that the COVID pandemic has had an impact, but we can’t just sit back and be complacent,” said Dr. Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, WHO Europe’s Director of Country Health Policies and Systems, during a press conference.

Despite challenges, the report noted positive trends in reducing mortality from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses. Ten countries—Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland—have achieved a 25% reduction in premature deaths from these illnesses. However, chronic diseases still account for one in six deaths among individuals under the age of 70 in the region, with cardiovascular disease remaining the leading cause of premature death, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Kluge, emphasized the need to address the root causes of chronic diseases, including tobacco and alcohol use, poor nutrition, air pollution, and physical inactivity. Europe leads the world in alcohol consumption, with adults averaging 8.8 liters annually—equivalent to approximately 733 to 880 standard drinks. Alcohol is responsible for one in every 11 deaths in the region. Additionally, tobacco smoking rates remain high at 25%, and the region is unlikely to meet its goal of reducing smoking by 30% this year. Obesity is also on the rise, with nearly one-quarter of adults affected.

The report highlighted mental health challenges among adolescents, with one in five experiencing issues and suicide ranking as a leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds. Kluge noted that the rise of digital communication has paradoxically led to increased feelings of loneliness and low self-confidence among young people, which can negatively impact their long-term health.

Environmental factors, including climate change, also pose significant health risks. Europe is the fastest-warming region globally, with an estimated 175,000 heat-related deaths annually. Meanwhile, maternal mortality rates have plateaued since 2015, and there are notable disparities in preventable child deaths across countries.

Looking ahead, Kluge stressed that while people are living longer, they are not necessarily living healthier lives. He warned that Europe’s health systems are no better prepared for emergencies than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the importance of international cooperation to address global health threats such as avian influenza, mpox, and Marburg virus. “Keeping health high on the agenda means working together to build a safer and more resilient world,” Kluge concluded.

A recent report from Cancer Research UK reveals stark disparities in cancer care across the United Kingdom, with cancer death rates nearly 60% higher in the most deprived areas compared to wealthier regions. The analysis estimates that about 28,400 cancer deaths each year—roughly three in every 20—are linked to socioeconomic inequality.

The study found that nearly one in 10 cancer diagnoses is associated with neighborhood deprivation, measured by factors such as income, education, and access to services. Lung cancer accounts for almost half of these deprivation-related deaths.

“These figures are shocking and unacceptable,” said Ian Walker, Cancer Research UK’s executive director of policy and information. He pointed to disparities in cancer risks, delayed diagnoses, and limited access to treatment as key drivers of the problem.

Two major risk factors—smoking and obesity—are more prevalent in deprived areas. Smoking rates are three times higher in these communities, and nearly 40% of residents are classified as obese. Limited access to green spaces and healthy food further contributes to these health challenges.

The report also highlighted differences in cancer diagnosis and treatment. People in deprived areas are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages, reducing their chances of survival. For certain cancers, they are less likely to receive chemotherapy, surgery, or innovative treatments. In England, many patients in these areas wait 104 days—over three months—or longer to begin treatment after an urgent referral for suspected cancer.

Walker emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, which can significantly improve survival rates. To address these issues, the charity is urging the UK government to increase funding for cancer and prevention services in high-need areas, including smoking cessation programs and nationwide lung cancer screenings.

“Beating cancer must mean beating it for everybody,” Walker said, underscoring the need to close the care gap and ensure equal access to life-saving treatments across all communities.